O'Sullivan Shines at National Vets Whilst Season 4 Gains Momentum
It was a case of so near yet so far for the city’s sole representative, James O’Sullivan and his team-mates, at the Australian Veterans Championships in Albury last week. O’Sullivan, who teamed up with Jan Alexandersson and Tony Kovacs who are both from the Gold Coast club and the Moreton Bay club’s Peter Easling, reached the semis of the national team championship in the over-60 section where they had to play off for the chance to win the gold medal against the very strong New South Wales outfit. Unfortunately, they were outclassed by the eventual gold medalists and were relegated to the bronze medal match against New Zealand. Despite putting in a valiant attempt to win the minor honor the Queensland outfit were relegated to fourth place.
In his individual singles event in this age-group O’Sullivan made it through to the main draw but departed early to the eventual runner-up in this event. All things considered, O’Sullivan can be proud of his achievements at his initial Aus-Vets.
As players settle into the different style of weekly fixtures in open grade at the local table tennis centre there were more good quality matches in the third round last week. With players only taking part in singles bouts that include a promotion and relegation aspect depending on results the stronger players are starting to show signs of working through the pack in the quest to finish the competition on the top table, after starting at the bottom end. The tricks to rapid upwards movement include being available for the fixture every week coupled with solid outcomes on the court in every match.
Rayden Smith is the best example of successful movement through the groups as he started on the bottom table when the comp started and after three weeks he hasn’t dropped a match and already been promoted upwards by a court each week. His passage has been made a tad easier due to circumstances in his favour. Out of the three players he realistically can have troubles with two are out through injuries. Matt Pettett and Dane Coughlan are both having the season off and in the opening round of the season he managed to beat Joel Coughlan by a few points. This pair will definitely face off again later in the comp so Coughlan will have a chance to reverse that result.
Going into this week’s round Allan Clarke and Patricia Green survived for another week on the top table and the two promoted players are Jakob Baker and Pam Clarke based on their successful results on the next court down. Geoff Geddes and Oliver Wright earned the right to play on the second court and the relegated pair of Helga Leitner and Joe Clifton will have their battles with this pair going on current form. Smith will be joined on the third court this week by Nick Green as well as Hilton Kane and Tom Tonkin and Smith is tipped to continue his journey through the draw while Green should also do well.
Joel Coughlan and Monica Deeth have made their way to the fourth court for this week’s shoot-out where they will be joined by Jeff Jordan and Niro De Silva while the fifth group will consist of Joel Gifford, Cooper Bulow, Warun Wilkinson and Sajan Baral. The trio of Glen McDonald, Julien Wright and Chris Leitner will face-off on the last court after results have kept them at the lower end until after the stronger participants clear those tables. ockin
