Only Two Rounds Left In Rocky Premiership Race

With just two rounds remaining in the second season of fixtures at the Leichhardt Park Table Tennis Centre, the race for premiership glory is heating up in both divisions. Teams at the top end of the ladder will be looking to consolidate their positions, with the premiership decided by a first-past-the-post finish.

Two teams in each division have make-up matches scheduled for this week, following earlier disruptions due to player unavailability. With those results in play before the final round, there should be no surprises heading into next week’s finale.

In Division 1, the pairing of Joel Coughlan and Jakob Baker currently holds a narrow lead, sitting just two points ahead of joint second-place duos: Matthew Pettett and Erica Nolan, and Nick Green and Leo Lai. A further two points back are Rayden Smith and Glen McDonald, and Dane Coughlan and Ann-Louise Stewart, tied in fourth. These two teams remain mathematical chances but will need convincing wins and favourable results to leapfrog the leaders.

Crucially, the teams led by Coughlan and Pettett face each other in their make-up match this week. The outcome could prove decisive—victory for either side may dash the hopes of the chasing pack and lock in their position for a shot at the title.

In Division 2, a similar double-points match is scheduled due to previous absences, but the stakes are lower. Cooper Bulow and Joe Clifton will take on Warun Wilkinson and Jeffrey Jordan, but with both teams well off the pace, the result is likely to affect only the final order rather than the title.

At the top of Division 2, Pam Clarke and Linda O’Sullivan currently lead by a single point over Allan Clarke and Julien Wright. Chris Leitner and Patricia Green sit in third, but the gap appears too large to bridge in the remaining rounds. Monica Deeth and Hilton Kane are two points behind in fourth and could push for a top-three finish, especially with Leitner and Green on a bye this week, collecting two points.

All eyes will be on next week’s final round, which features a direct clash between the top two Division 2 teams—an exciting decider to wrap up the season.

In other news, local veteran players have until the end of this week to submit their entries for the Queensland Veteran Championships, held mid-July at the South Pine Indoor Sports Centre in Brendale, Moreton Bay. The Rockhampton club will submit nominations for the inter-club team events, while players must register individually online for the singles and doubles competitions. Unfortunately, a scheduling clash with other commitments means a few local players will be unable to attend, slightly weakening the city’s overall representation.