FINALS PREVIEW – Summer 2019

Division 1 With one round to go the finalists for Division One are decided. And what contrasting seasons the 2 teams have had.

Minor premiers, BOODIES (Mark Bagshawe and Michael Wilson), were unbeaten after the first 12 rounds including four 4-1 wins and one 5-0 win. Mr Consistency and new sensation, Mark Bagshawe, almost made it to the top of the rankings being in 2nd spot on March 5. Incidentally he was on equal matches (24 all) and only one game behind the leader at that stage, Seng Joo Keng. Mark was getting plenty of support from Michael Wilson who was having his best season in a long time. But pretty soon the wheels were getting a little shaky with the Boodies losing their last 3 rounds.

In total variation, POTOROOS (Adam Wood and Gerrit Fialla) had lost 6 of their first 12 rounds. But there season has slowly turned round and will go into the finals having won the last 6 rounds and with Gerrit in form having won his last 4 singles matches. Gerrit has a very handy partner in Adam Wood. Adam has won the last 2 club championships and he has 2 very lethal weapons – the best block in the club and some almost unplayable serves.

Come along and see an enthralling battle. By the way, Paul Green has taken his time but surprised no one to edge his way back and finish the season (bar a surprise) on top of the rankings, pipping Seng Joo Keng and Mark Bagshawe.

DIVISION 2 SHARKS (Martyn Clarke, Stephen Parke and John Dale) will play NARWHALS (John Ettel, Judy Chin and Ian Thomas) in the Div 2 grand final next Tuesday night after both teams had down to the wire 6-5 wins in last week’s semi-finals.

Sharks had been the dominant team being undefeated well into the season. Their opposition in the semi was the TURTLES (Russell Treloar, Greg Williams and Fiona McHugh) whose season had to suffer the loss of their no 1 player, Russell Treloar mid-season with a shoulder injury. To his credit, Russell continued attending after his injury supporting them to the semis.

It did not look good for the Sharks with their number 1 player, Martyn Clarke, being away for the semi - his only absence all season. It looked even worse when the dependable, John Dale, got sick and was even hospitalised at the end of the season. Hence they played the final with only one original, Stephen Parke. And it must have looked even bleaker when Gordon Holden, subbing for Martyn Clarke, was down 1-2 to the upward bound, Fiona McHugh. But Gordon got his act together and won the last 2 games. The team rallied and it was 5all with one match to go. It was the battle of 2 crafty Malenyites and it did not disappoint with Stephen getting there in 5.

The other semi was between NARWHALS (John Ettel, Judy Chin and Ian Thomas) and DOLPHINS ( Mike Rogers, Gordon Falkingham and Kathy Oakley). These 2 teams had played just the previous week with 3 straight singles wins to Mike Rodgers and Gordon Falkingham delivering the DOLPHINS a big win. But Gordon could not do it 2 weeks in a row and the team result was reversed.

Best of luck to both teams in the Grand Final. I believe both teams will be back to their original lineups. And congratulations to Mike Rogers who finished convincingly at the top of the rankings with only 2 losses all season.

BOTH GRAND FINALS are on next Tuesday night, March 26. at Maroochydore>