Approximately halfway through the Echuca Table Tennis Association’s third competition of the year, the make-up of the three grades is starting to reveal itself.
Hello Kitty continues to dominate A-grade, completing its sweep of the first cycle of fixtures with a win over Dragons.
In a remarkably comprehensive performance, the league leader won all five rubbers in the match-up. Jen Fang and Steven Hope answered the Dragons' challenge at every turn.
Kevin Mao came close to earning a match for the Dragons, leading 2-1 in his second singles, but Hope was able to prevail 3-2, giving Hello Kitty a valuable 5-0 win and a differential boost at the top of the table.
In the other A-grade contest, Peralandra continued to find ways to lose, going down 3-2 for the third straight week.
Leading 3-1 in what turned out to be the defining doubles, Div Mallya and Hank Doller rallied to win three straight and take the match 4-3.
The two sides split the singles games, the doubles fightback deciding the overall result in the Dukes’ favour.
B-grade
Double P holds a stranglehold over B-grade with a perfect 3-0 record, with the other three sides each at 1-2 at the halfway mark of the competition.
Double P’s latest victim was JD, which only managed a single match in the 1-4 defeat, Phil Higgins and Pete Retallick proving themselves the side to beat the rest of the way.
In the other fixture, Tornado earned victory over DanDan 3-2.
Substitute Troy Mackrell deputised effectively, winning both of his singles to help his adopted side to the win, while Rob Russell claimed the third match to confirm the win for his team.
C-grade
Mad Dogs looks the team to beat so far, picking up its third win from as many matches this week.
Isaac Hope earned two matches for Flaming Monkeys, but the Mad Dogs pairing of Jesse Edwards and Ryan Simmons did enough to take the remaining singles and the doubles to earn the win 3-2.
Petite Princesses had a back-and-forth battle with Dyl and Friends, eventually prevailing 3-2.
The opening singles between Ryan Smith and Brady Cronin could have gone either way, but it was Smith who earned the points for Princesses 3-2.
It proved to be a valuable victory as Dyl and Friends eked out a win in the doubles to almost snatch the match, but Princesses held on for a close overall win.
Tigers of Old couldn’t get itself going against Cuddly Kittens, losing all five matches in a complete performance from their opponents.
Nathan Mackrell and Andrea Barry were clinical, giving up only four games as they surged to victory.