Table tennis premiers crowned

The Mount Gambier Table Tennis Spring Season finals were held this week, with all three grades having decisive winners.

After suffering a rare, and perhaps necessary defeat the previous week, Macca Pacca’s top player Travis Sweet returned to his best form at the perfect time, powering his team to a dominant 9-3 trouncing of Ben Newman’s Benz team in the A Grade final. Kevin Patzel also remained undefeated on the night for the victors while Sanith “Sunny” Ghetia was the only shining light for Benz, also coming away with a clean sheet.

The B Grade final was a little more even; Mark, Caleb and Dale Bachmann combining with Nick Sweet for Rennick Raiders against Andrew Telford’s Outer Limits. The Bachmanns all scored comprehensive wins in their respective opening singles rubbers to give the Raiders a healthy 3-0 lead, before Peter McKenzie steadied the ship for the ‘Limits with victory over Sweet. Little separated the teams for the remainder of the match, The Raiders able to maintain their advantage Caleb Bachmann’s victory over Telford ensured his team could not be beaten with two rubbers to play out. McKenzie and Alastair Earl claimed the final two rubbers for Outer Limits to add some respectability to the overall score, but it was the Rennick Raiders who claimed the B Grade title by 7 rubbers to 5.

The C Grade decider was another one-sided affair, Nudee Cook’s Lendy team barely raising a sweat in their dominant triumph over Chris McGregor’s Mac Attack. After McGregor gave his team a promising start with victory in the opening rubber, Cook led her team to a string of 6 straight victories to give Lendy and unassailable lead. Both Cook and newcomer Yousseff Malicden turned in inspiring undefeated performances for the victors, Lendy ultimately prevailing by a whopping 10 rubbers to 4.

Mount Gambier Table Tennis Club is always welcoming of new players of all ages, experience, and capability. The Summer 2023 Season will commence on Wednesday, February 8. Practice is held at 7pm on Monday nights, and competition is at 7pm on Wednesday nights at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds Hall. To register your interest, please contact the club at [email protected] or find the club’s Facebook page, or just come along on a Monday night and speak to a friendly welcoming committee member.

Undefeated players:
A Grade: Sanith Ghetia (Benz), Travis Sweet, Kevin Patzel, (Macca Pacca).

B Grade: Mark Bachmann, Caleb Bachmann, Dale Bachmann (Rennick Raiders), Peter McKenzie (Outer Limits).

C Grade: Nudee Cook, Youssef Malicden (Lendy)