STATE COUNTRY CHAMPIONS!!!

 

Port Lincoln are the state country champions in Table Tennis after the trio of Daniel Challinger, Simon Strycharski and Aaron Sincock took out the Men’s A Grade title at the recent country carnival in Newton, Adelaide.

Only losing three matches between them on their way to the final, Port Lincoln came up against the highly fancied Great Southern outfit who had won the event eight of the past ten years. Giving away plenty in experience but nothing in skill, Port Lincoln started the final well with wins to Daniel Challinger over Kevin Pearce and Aaron Sincock over Darren Lush. Chris Gorman Jnr was the rock for Great Southern with victories over Simon Strycharski and then backing it up to defeat Aaron Sincock for his second win. Daniel Challinger picked up his second win when he defeated Darren Lush before crucially Simon Strycharski played won of his best matches of the tournament to defeat Kevin Pearce and leave Port Lincoln just one win from the title.

In the end it came down to a tense five set contest between Simon Strycharski and Darren Lush, where after saving match points Simon sealed the match for Port Lincoln  and the title was theirs. It is only the second time in history that Port Lincoln has claimed the title.

The Sunday held the individual events and Port Lincoln did not let disappoint there either. Daniel Challinger and Simon Strycharski both made the semi finals of the open singles event before both falling just one match short of the final. Daniel Challinger had better luck in the final of the restricted doubles when pairing with Darren Atkins to defeat Chris Gorman Jnr and Darren Lush. Darren Atkins also made the final of the restricted singles before losing to Chris Gorman Jnr.

The over age events provided many great results also with the pairing of Colin Peacock and Sally Kunze winning both the over 40’s and over 50’s mixed doubles. Colin also had some success in the over 60’s singles in finishing runner up to Bernie Kuiper and also runner up in the over 40’s men’s doubles.

Ellen Challinger also capped of a solid weekends play with a win in the B grade women’s singles. Just reward for some impressive performances.

Overall the 2008 Table Tennis Country Carnival was one of the more successful appearances by the club with great results in both team and individual events – showcased by the country state rankings of Daniel Challinger 3^rd, Simon Strycharski 4^th and Aaron Sincock 5^th for the men’s. In the Women’s Sally Kunze took home a ranking of 6^th in state country.

Finally a huge thank you must be extended to Scott Houston, Brad Allen and Josh McDonald and all others who gave great support over the weekend’s play. Without their help and coaching skill the results achieved would not have been possible.