The countdown is on as the Rockhampton Table Tennis Association’s top players prepare to travel to Bundaberg for the annual inter-city competition. For over fifty years, Rockhampton and Bundaberg clubs have competed in this much-anticipated event. The first twenty-five years saw players vying for the Trevor White Shield, while the past twenty-five years have focused on the Eric Cree Shield.
Meanwhile, the open-grade competition for the fourth and final season of the year at Leichhardt Park Table Tennis Centre featured close matches and intense action in the last round.
Typically, players compete in two singles rubbers and a doubles tie. However, this season’s fixture introduced a three-player team format where each participant engages in two doubles rubbers and one singles match against their opposite number.
The doubles encounters have been fiercely competitive, with some nail-biting conclusions in the recent round. Leo Lai and Geoff Geddes narrowly defeated Nick Green and Chris Leitner 11-8 in the fifth set, while Ann-Louise Stewart and Nick Green edged out Dane Coughlan and Leo Lai in a 8-11, 12-10, 14-12, 5-11, 11-9 victory.
Other close doubles battles saw Matt Pettett and Joe Clifton overcoming James O’Sullivan and Chris Leitner in five sets. Erica Nolan and Cooper Bulow rallied to defeat Warun Wilkinson and Patricia Green 11-7 in the final set after a two-set deficit. Rayden Smith and Peter Carr also emerged victorious in a tough decider, narrowly besting Judd Carr and Pam Clarke.
The singles matches did not disappoint, bringing more thrilling and unexpected outcomes. Patricia Green delivered a standout performance in her two-a-side match, prevailing over Erica Nolan 11-9, 4-11, 11-7, 4-11, 12-10, and narrowly defeating junior talent Cooper Bulow 11-8 in a fifth-set decider.
In other singles highlights, Bulow outlasted Warun Wilkinson 11-8 in the final set after a series of closely contested games. Allan Clarke staged an impressive comeback against Jakob Baker, winning 7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 13-11, 11-8. Leo Lai also pulled off a hard-fought victory over Nick Green, clinching an 11-9 win in the deciding set after initially leading by two games.
