Margin for Error is Zero in Race for Second Division Crown

Whilst the players in the top division of open grade fixtures at the Rocky Table Tennis Association usually turn on the better matches from a spectacle viewpoint this season their counterparts from second division have created a most interesting score-board situation, and along the way have really turned on some incredible performances.  

Focusing on the leaderboard in the second section, a week ago one of the teams that was sharing the first place is now sitting at number five – but that side is only one point behind the leaders of the comp. In a most unusual situation currently there are four teams sharing the top spot and with only three rounds of fixtures remaining to separate all the teams that are in contention for the flag that will be presented to the outfit in the lead across the whole season the organisers may have to research the rule book for guidance.

Apart from this incredible statistic, the number of close individual matches over the past few weeks has been exceptional but in the latest hit-out this feature has surpassed most expectations. And, this situation does not just sit with players in the second section as a few clashes in the first division have also provided some excellent entertainment.

During this latest round, in the first division Cooper Bulow had an unbelievably unlucky night out when he had his chances to post an undefeated effort but came up empty. He came within an ace of upsetting the more fancied fellow junior in Judd Carr and had several chances to cause an upset. With three of the sets decided at deuce Carr narrowly prevailed 12-10 in the decider. In a similar situation Bulow just failed to oust Jakob Baker going down 14-12 in the decider where the scores in all the other games were tight. These matches are providing Bulow with tremendous match-play experience as he prepares for the state under-19 carnival at Moreton Bay at Easter, and the same can be said for Judd Carr who will be representing the city at under-17 level.

Close encounters in the second section included the magnificent win by Chris Leitner over Geoff Geddes. After Geddes won the opening two sets he looked to be in control but a great fight back from Leitner saw him win the next two games and they went point for point in the decider with Leitner falling over the line 15-13 in a classic. Veteran stager Pam Clarke got out some early trouble to run down Oliver Wright over five sets and then went close to repelling the hard-hitting game of Warun Wilkinson who posted a win by 16 points to 14 in a decider that produced some very lengthy rallies. Earlier Wilkinson had his first loss to Jeff Jordan and this was a great result for Jordan.

Julien Wright, who is a relatively newcomer to competition play, has found himself in the deep end this season after being promoted to a number one spot. He has taken on this challenge and won some close matches and on the last outing he staged his initial win over Allan Clarke after another creditable fight-back from being behind zero-two to win by a few points in the decider.  

A lot of the local club’s players are heading off to the Rum City this weekend to take part in the annual Bundy Open Championships. Early reports are that very good entries are being submitted and the good news for Bundaberg Table Tennis is that the recent flood event has not affected the playing centre that is situated at Avoca.