Racket Scientists’ number one Stephen Hope will look to lead his side to grand final glory. Photos: Matthew Kappos
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
A pair of thrilling semi-finals have decided the final match-up of the Echuca Table Tennis Association’s second competition for 2024.
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After claiming the last semi-final spot the previous week, the Smash Bros looked to cause a major upset against competition leaders Racket Scientists, who have only lost one round all season.
However, as expected, the Racket Scientists weren’t going to be an easy out, storming ahead to a 3-1 lead, but were dispatched in the first doubles in straight sets.
By the time the next round of doubles came about, Smash Bros had snatched a narrow lead from the title favourites, leading 4-3.
The Racket Scientists showed why they have been so dominant this season down the stretch, winning the final doubles and two out of the last three games to claim a 6-5 victory.
On the next table, the second-seeded Rebels were keen to down the Dragons and book themselves into the grand final.
Despite winning the opening match, the Rebels conceded the next three games, including the first doubles, to the lower seeded Dragons, who took a 3-1 advantage.
Dragons’ Raymond Kissell will make sure his side won’t go down without a fight in the big dance.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
The Rebels mounted a small fightback courtesy of a straight sets victory by their number one, but again went on to lose the next two singles games and the second doubles.
The Dragons had already claimed a monumental victory over the second seed before the final round of singles games were played.
Keeping to match tradition, the Rebels claimed the first match of the final round of singles before relinquishing the next two to lose convincingly to the third-seeded Dragons, 8-3.
While the Smash Bros narrowly missed out on a fairytale run to the grand final, the Dragons will go into the big dance as underdogs to the Racket Scientists.
The top-ranked side will want to cement its regular season superiority by securing a win on Wednesday, while the Dragons will aim to dethrone the minor premiers who already have one hand on the trophy.
The Echuca Table Tennis Association’s second competition grand final will take place at 7pm on Wednesday, October 2, at Moama Sporting Complex.
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