Grippers and Loopers have both clinched a berth in the major semi-final of the Lithgow Table Tennis Association Winter Competition following Round 14 played at the Old Trades Hall.
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Depending on results in the final regular season round, any two of the remaining three teams, KaPooLow, Spinners and Charolais, can also qualify for the post-season.
Charolais have dropped to last place after a third successive loss, this time to the in-form Grippers. The two teams slugged it out for most of the match, with the scores locked at 2-all, 5-all and then 7-all just past the halfway point.
Grippers stole a break to finish the singles rubbers up 12-9 and put the match to bed by winning the first doubles 2-0. Charolais took the second doubles 2-1 but it couldn't prevent Grippers running out 15-11 winners.
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Kelly Gurney (5-2) just finished ahead of Dave Mays (5-3) for Grippers best record, while Lou Kappos had an up-and-down night in going 2-4.
Mark Watchorn stood out in a beaten Charolais side with a 6-2 result, while Leon Rust went 3-4 and Sean Jenkins was well below his usual standard with 0-6.
KaPooLow and Loopers went into their match knowing that a victory would secure a semi-final place and it was KaPooLow that started the better when they took the first rubber 2-1. Their joy was short-lived though, as Loopers proceeded to win the next seven rubbers by a combined fourteen games to four for a match-winning 15-6 break. The final score saw Loopers emerge triumphant, 17-8.
All of the Loopers contributed to the win, with the in-form Pauline Wellfare going 6-2, followed by Michael Wood at 5-3 and Riza Wiradi 4-3.
For KaPooLow, only Roy Barlow (5-3) could keep his head above water, as Matt Kappos lost three 2-1 decisions to end at 3-6 and Megan Kappos struggling to an 0-6 mark.
Spinners stayed in the play-off race courtesy of the bye.
Pointscore: Grippers 44, Loopers 41, KaPooLow 36, Spinners 34, Charolais 33.
Draw for Round 15; Grippers v Spinners. KaPooLow v Charolais. Loopers bye.