Top of the State

TWENTY-seven Mount Gambier table tennis players travelled to Murray Bridge over the long weekend to participate in the annual Country Carnival, enjoying a fun weekend of sportsmanship, competitive table tennis and renewed relationships.

Saturday consisted of team events, where groups of three competed against players from various country teams across different divisions.

Mount Gambier Women’s A Grade team, consisting of Sirinat Sweet, Katrina McPhee and Melissa Schaefer, competed against Port Lincoln and the President’s Team for the Shield.

Sirinat Sweet was formidable and consistent, defeating all her opponents and leading her team through to victory.

Men’s B team players Eoin McIlduff, Aaron McPhee and Mark Bachmann faced extremely talented players and while they didn’t bring home the shield, they finished second.

Mount Gambier C Grade team, consisting of Cameron Beal, Allan Withers and John Malicdem, fought some tough competitors but were too strong, bringing home the shield.

Yee Pyone, Krishmina Thupa and Kristyn McPhee smashed their D-grade competitors and brought home yet another shield for the club.

Sunday saw the individual graded, age and junior events, where Mount Gambier again dominated in many categories.

Sirinat Sweet was again the standout player, ending the weekend undefeated and winning six titles across Women’s A, Mixed A, Over 40s and over 50’s.

Leigh Barry, the club’s highest ranked player, raked in four titles plus a runner up, often teaming with Sweet to dominate the doubles scene.

Thirteen-year-old junior Jarrah Schaefer continues to be the club’s rising star, winning Men’s B singles, under 15s singles and doubles, and coming runner up in under 18 Boys singles.

Talent seemed to be running strong in the Schaefer family, with Joel and Melissa Schaefer bringing home the mixed B doubles and Melissa continuing on to bring home the title for Women’s B singles and women’s B doubles with Kristyn McPhee.

Overall, it was a brilliant team effort by Mount Gambier Table Tennis Club, bringing home a total of three team titles, 15 individual titles and 12 runner up finishes.

But more than the victories, trophies and titles, the team came home with great memories, stronger camaraderie and a drive to continue improving their skills, ready to play even better at next year’s Country Carnival.