
Charolais are the first side into the Grand Final of the Lithgow Table Tennis Association Summer Competition following a minor upset over Minor Premiers Grippers in the Major Semi-final played at the Old Trades Hall.
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Title favourites Grippers looked like they would extend their unbeaten streak to six matches when they took early 2-0 and 6-3 leads over challengers Charolais.
However, a 6-1 run from Charolais in the middle stages put them in front to stay at 9-7 and going into the doubles they held a valuable 12-9 break.
Grippers couldn't afford to put a foot wrong from there, but Charolais closed it out by winning the first doubles 2-0 to stamp their ticket to the decider, 14-9.
A sturdy team effort from Charolais saw Peter Jaccoud finish at 4-2, Sean Jenkins 4-3 and Leon Rust 4-4.
Mick Wagner did his best to lift his Grippers outfit with 6-1, while Linda Kappos went 3-5 and Lou Kappos was well below his best at 0-6.
The Minor Semi-final between Smashes and Choppers remained tight the entire night, with no more than three games separating the teams at any stage.
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It was 4-all early on, but a 9-6 Smashes lead late in proceedings seemed like it might be enough.
Choppers, who have struggled for the entire season, gave themselves a chance of extending their stay when they hit the front for the first time at 10-9, only to see Smashes complete the singles with a wafer-thin 11-10 edge.
Smashes took the first doubles 2-1 before dropping the second, also 2-1, but it was sufficient to see them advance, 14-13.
Smashes were best served by Mark McAulay (5-2), followed by a pair of 3-4 results from Shane Eagle and Matt Kappos.
Choppers ended their topsy-turvy season with a robust display, as Maurie Poole recorded 6-2, Malcolm Jeffries 2-4 and Pauline Wellfare 2-5, but fell just short.
This Week's Match: Final; Grippers v Smashes.