ROUND 8

 

Division I

 

Panthers 11(39) defeated Gladiators 10(41)

Panthers continued their undefeated run, but only just, narrowly holding on against last years premiers Gladiators, who are just starting to hit some of last years form. Gladiators got the jump early with four wins in the first round, with only Daniel Challinger and Robbie Warcom showing any resistance for Panthers. Panthers responded with four wins of their own in the second round, crucially two of those in tight five set matches. Panthers had built their season around their strong doubles combinations and tonight was no different as they swept all three to hold a clear advantage heading into the final round. Gladiators didn’t give up though and gave themselves every chance until Peter Jones, having a career best season, overcame Gladiators Bill Broughton in five sets to clinch the win.

Best for Panthers were Daniel Challinger, Robbie Warcom and Peter Jones. Best for Gladiators were Aaron Sincock and Joe Perone.

 

Lions 11(45) defeated Tigers 10(35)

In another close contest, Tigers were the unlucky losers again with Lions winning in the last match of the night. Nothing could separate the two teams through the first two rounds of singles, with the teams literally going blow for blow over the twelve matches. Tigers showed great resolve in the tight matches to win the fifth set that matters more often than their opponents. The doubles became even more important than usual, and it was Lions that stepped up to the plate with two of the three falling their way. Tigers stayed in the hunt when Barry Sederstrom and Shane Stockham held on against Jason Regan and Adam Pierik in five sets. Tigers quickly levelled the scores in the final round and from there it was anyone’s guess as to the final result. In the end in the final match of the night, Jason Regan defeated Tigers’ Barry Sederstrom to decide the result.

Best for Lions was Jason Regan. Best for Tigers was Rodney Scharfe.

 

Croppos 11(42) defeated Dodgers 10(40)

 Dodgers continued their poor form of late as Croppos brought themselves back into finals contention with a close win on Thursday night. Matches were shared evenly over both the first and second rounds as neither team allowed the other to get of the leash and some great table tennis resulting. Rhys Popovic continued his fine season to come from behind to defeat Dodgers’ Troy Sederstrom in five sets, while Dillan Wilson responded for Dodgers with a five set win of his own against Rhys’ father Riki. With all three doubles going down to the wire, Croppos played better in the points that mattered to win two of the three and hold the advantage going into the final round of singles. With the lead changing several times in the final round it came down to the end, with Croppos’ Rhys Popovic defeating Darren Atkins in straight sets.

Best for Croppos was Rhys Popovic. Best for Dodgers was Tom Holland.

 

Division II

 

Dodgers 11(39) def Dominoes 10(40)

This was the clash between the top two sides that everyone was eagerly waiting for and with Dodgers on the improve over the past few weeks it was always on the cards that they would knock Dominoes off their perch. The opening round games were shared evenly with Kye Barber, Brian Broome and Rebecca Barber scoring for Dodgers while Bob Gibbes, Bev Atkins and Helen Proude were winners for Dominoes. Dodgers made a mini break in the second round with the standout match going to Terri Ison in five long sets over David Hall. Where doubles can make or break you Dominoes combined the better collecting two wins to keep in touch, just one behind going into the final round. Dodgers were first to score with Rebecca Barber, then Dominoes pair Sam Tiller and Helen Proude added crucial wins followed by Tyler Ebert's win for Dodgers over David Hall, and to level the scores Bev Atkins came from behind to defeat Terri Ison in five sets leaving the final game to decide the outcome. Kye Barber completed a great night winning the vital match for Dodgers in straight sets inflicting Dominoes first loss for the season.

Best for Dodgers were Kye and Rebecca Barber. Best for Dominoes were Helen Proude and Bev Atkins.

 

Panthers 13(49) def Apollo 8(27)

Panthers remain in sixth place ahead of Apollo with a percentage boosting win. Panthers started well through Vic Ellul, Cheryl King and Danny White, while Apollo's top pair Joseph Gulino and Riley Curtis won two long five set matches to bounce back, backed up by Dave Shanley, also winning in five sets over Julie Ellul to level the scores. Panthers lifted into top gear in the second round adding five singles, while Joseph Gulino was the lone scorer for Apollo. Panthers combined the better in the doubles adding a further two leaving Apollo the daunting task of winning all remaining matches for a win but to Apollo's credit they matched Panthers in the last round with two standout matches on display by Craig Cameron defeating Claudia Gulino 17-15 in the fifth set and Riley Curtis winning 20-18 in the fourth set over Ralph Sandford for two incredible wins, but Vic Ellul finished on a high defeating his number one opposition Joseph Gulino in four sets.

Best for Panthers were Cheryl King and Danny White. Best for Apollo were Joseph Gulino and Riley Curtis.

 

Tigers 15(47) def Gladiators 6(31)

Tigers moved into third place with their percentage boosting win over the bottom side Gladiators. Tigers opened up a narrow lead in the first round taking four wins through Ben Vanderkop, Lance Barnett, Dean Polkinghorne and Judy Myers, while John Theakstone and Veronica Mitchell won for Gladiators. It was more of the same in the second round with Lance Barnett defeating John Theakstone and Judy Myers winning in five sets over Veronica Mitchell, while Ernie Bauer and Mandy Wheadon were straight sets winners for Gladiators. Tigers claimed two from three doubles and then stormed home winning five singles in the last round with Judy Myers defeating Thomas Leahy in five sets and Ben Vanderkop getting over John Theakstone, also in five sets.

Best for Tigers were Ben Vanderkop, Lance Barnett and Judy Myers. Best for Gladiators were Veronica Mitchell.

 

Lions 11(45) def Croppos 10(37)

After two losses Lions got back on track with their win over Croppos who remain just ahead on the premiership table in fourth spot by a better percentage. Games were evenly spread in the opening round with good performances by Peter Forrest, Christian Fletcher and Karina White for Croppos, while Filippo Fiore, Elisa Fletcher and Sharlene Chapman scored for Lions. With some tight matches played in the second round Gay Karger defeated Nick Routledge 14-12 in the fifth set and Karina White won in five sets over Elisa Fletcher, while Jhy Mueller levelled the scores for Lions. Lions combined well in the doubles to take two for a narrow lead going into the last round but Croppos Renee Patterson-Jesser played the match of the night for her team to win over Sonia Regan 11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 10-12, 14-12 backed up by Christian Fletcher also in five amazing sets over his mum Elisa. Jhy Mueller keeps improving every week, and defeated Karina White in four sets to level the scores at nine all with three to play. A marathon five setter between Gay Karger and Sharlene Chapman was the decider with Lions just getting up in a close finish.

Best for Lions were Filippo Fiore and Sharlene Chapman. Best for Croppos were Christian Fletcher and Karina White.