Croppos are premiers for 2008 after easily accounting for Panthers in a tense final. Croppos made it the double by also taking out the division two title!

 Division I

Preliminary Final:

Panthers 12(44) defeated Lions 9(33)

Panthers caused a boilover by knocking second placed Lions out of the finals race in straight sets, playing well all through the night. The signs were good for Panthers from the first round with wins to Geoff Nottle, Daniel Challinger, Robbie Warcom and Peter Jones setting the tone. Panthers kept their lead in the second round, despite the best efforts of Lions’ top pair Simon and Mark Strycharski. The crucial gap was formed in the doubles, with Panthers winning all three and leaving themselves in the position of requiring one win to move into the grand final. This proved no problem with Scott Forrest overcoming Bev Atkins to send his side through.

Best for Panthers was Daniel Challinger. Best for Lions was Sue Barnett.

 

Grand Final:

Croppos 13(46) defeated Panthers 8(33)

Croppos proved why they finished the season as minor premiers with a comprehensive win over Panthers in the grand final. Croppos stamped their authority on the contest from the first round, winning five of the six on offer. The crucial win came when Ellen Challinger came back from two sets to love down to defeat Robbie Warcom and really hand the ascendancy to Croppos. Panthers held the lead at four through the second round and then managed to reduce it to three with the final round of singles to play. Needing five of the six remaining singles to perform an incredible comeback, it wasn’t to be for Panthers as they narrowly lost two matches in five sets and Croppos were the premiers for 2008!

Best for Croppos were Rhys Popovic and Shane Stockham. Best for Panthers was Daniel Challinger.

 

Division II

Preliminary Final:

      Croppos 12(44) defeated Gladiators 9(34)

Gladiators got a jump on Croppos early in the opening round with their top three all scoring wins over Croppos top three, while for Croppos Joseph Gulino and Lisa Fletcher were the only ones to score. The second round proved costly for Gladiators as Croppos surged ahead adding five singles wins. Doubles are always going to factor in the final result as Croppos claimed the two they were looking for and Gladiators were now faced with a very tough task of winning five singles in the last round. Mandy Wheadon stepped up for Gladiators and produced her best win of the season over Lisa Fletcher in five entertaining sets while Croppos big improvers Joseph and Claudia Gulino both won in straight sets. With the last three matches on the tables it was set for an exciting finish as Dillan Wilson, much-improved from his coaching in Adelaide won a very tight match against Joe Gulino 5-11,12-10,12-10,11-8 to give Croppos victory as Gladiators’ pair Riki Popovic and Tai Wheadon finished strongly.

Best for Croppos were Joseph Gulino and Dillan Wilson. Best for Gladiators were Tai Wheadon and Riki Popovic.

 

Grand Final:

     Croppos 11(40) defeated Panthers 10(38)

In a wonderful final of table tennis witnessed by a large crowd Croppos came out victors over Panthers by the narrowest of margins. Scores were locked together at the end of the opening round as Vic Ellul won the first match for Panthers, supported by Andy Sampson and Cheryl King, while Ernie Bauer, Dillan Wilson and Joseph Gulino scored for Croppos. Croppos edged ahead in the second round with a marathon five set win to Ernie Bauer over Ralph Sandford, 6-11,17-15,7-11,11-5,12-10 and Dillan Wilson's come from behind win over Panthers’ Vic Ellul in five sets while David Hall and Andy Sampson won important matches for Panthers. Panthers needed to find something as they closed the gap winning two important doubles and Julie Ellul stepped up with an impressive performance over Lisa Fletcher in five long sets to level the scores. Croppos’ middle order added a further two wins leaving the final three matches on the tables to decide the night. Panthers top two finished strongly but it was Dillan Wilson's victory over David Hall which decided a tight finish in a fantastic final. Player of the finals was Croppos No.3 Dillan Wilson who defeated Panthers’ top three in an impressive performance.

Best for Croppos were Dillan Wilson and Joseph Gulino. Best for Panthers were Vic Ellul and Andy Sampson.