Tight Battles as Fixture Season Two Nears Halfway Point

As the open grade fixture competition at the Leichhardt Park Table Tennis Centre approaches the halfway mark, both divisions are shaping up to be tightly contested. All players in the competition recently took part in the Rocky Open Championships, using both those matches and ongoing practice and coaching sessions to fine-tune their games. For many of the more dedicated competitors, the next major event on the calendar is the Mackay Open at the end of the month, though a few may also contest the Brisbane Open this coming weekend.

In the top division, the pairing of Rayden Smith and Glen McDonald holds a narrow lead, just one point ahead of two tied teams: Matthew Pettett and Erica Nolan, and Joel Coughlan and Jakob Baker. Still well in the hunt are Dane Coughlan and Ann-Louise Stewart, with the dynamic duo of Nick Green and Leo Lai only a further point behind—well within striking distance of the leaders.

In Division 2, experienced campaigners Pam Clarke and Linda O’Sullivan have established a strong lead. Just two points behind them sit Chris Leitner and Patricia Green, while Allan Clarke and Julien Wright, Monica Deeth and Hilton Kane, and Warun Wilkinson and Jeff Jordan are all tied for third, a further two points adrift.

The most recent round of fixtures featured some standout matches. In Division 1, veteran James O’Sullivan continued his excellent form from the Rocky Open, pushing top competitor Dane Coughlan to five sets before narrowly going down 11–9 in the decider. He later went the distance again in another tight contest with Ann-Louise Stewart, eventually losing in five after coming back from a two-set deficit.

Nick Green, who also impressed at the Open, tested the fixture’s top player Matt Pettett before falling in four sets. He then edged out Erica Nolan in a thrilling five-set match: 11–7, 9–11, 12–10, 10–12, 11–9. Meanwhile, Glen McDonald, another player coming off a strong Open performance, mounted a gutsy comeback against Joel Gifford. After dropping the first two games, he rallied to take the next three 12–10, 11–5, 11–8.

Division 2 also saw some exciting matchups. Up-and-coming junior Cooper Bulow showed maturity beyond his years to recover from two sets down against the persistent Linda O’Sullivan, using his topspin to turn the tide and claim the next three games. However, he couldn’t replicate the feat against Pam Clarke—despite winning the first two sets, Clarke’s experience shone through as she closed out the match in five with scores of 11–5, 11–5, 11–6.

In a familiar rivalry, Geoff Geddes overcame Chris Leitner in four tightly contested sets. Patricia Green also showed good form, taking a set from the in-form Geddes and defeating fixture newcomer Oliver Wright in straight sets, although Wright managed to steal one game.