Cracking shots at Oxley table tennis

By JUNE UEBERGANG With the sun still shining (and no sign of the Storm), 24 players with bats in hand and stars in their eyes arrived at the Oxley Hall on the dot of 7pm, to share the physical and social enjoyment to be had at the social table tennis competition last Monday night. From the word ‘go’, Adam Rivett was on a roll when he and his daughter Madeliene lined up to take on the lively Liz Kerr, and ‘man from the mountains’ Caleb Gillies in a game of ‘cat and mouse’ from start to finish. As each player utilised every shot in the book in their attempts – some successful, some not – to put their opponents under as much pressure as possible, it was hard on the body as well as the mind to anticipate and deal with every ball that came their way. But the determination and decision-making of both pairs held them in good stead, as scores went point for point until, after a sneaky little net cord shot, Liz and Caleb won by two points. Olivia Strack was at her lively best when she and her more senior partner, Graham Stephens, paired up to take on the unstoppables, Debbie Brunken and Richard Morgan, in a ‘catch me if you can’ game of fun for all in every point contested. As each pair sized up and determinedly dealt with every ball placement they faced, it was never going to be an easy ride for either pair. With Graham whispering his intentions to Olivia (and his bat), they made every endeavour to put their opponent under the pump in both attack and defence. However, Debbie and Richard used their own tricks of the trade to foil many ‘couldabeens’, as they handled everything thrown at them as scores went point for point until Debbie retrieved an irretrievable ball, which resulted in a close victory for her and Richard. An entertaining and enjoyable game was on show when ‘don’t fool us Poulos’, Manni, and tall timbered Jacob Hardiman, teamed up to take on the young livewires Lacy Solimo, and high-flyin’ Ryan Van Der Poel. With Manni having age and experience under his belt, Jacob displaying constructive talent, Lacy showing discipline and dedication to taking one ball at a time, and Ryan possessing unbridled desire and durability, the game epitomised the words, ‘Oxley’s Got Talent’. After much leaping and bounding, ducking and diving, stroking and slamming, from which everyone got their $2 worth of fun, the game ended with big smiles, bat waving, and hearty handshakes, indicating it was a win for all. With all having made many appearances on the merry-go-round of contests for the night, Gary Coad and Hugh Spring took on the Big Ms — Martin Butcher and Mick Gervasoni, in a give it your all game from go to whoa. Long, penetrating serves and strokes were returned with equally long and precise placements, interlaced with deft soft touches, and wide grand slams were ‘run of the mill’ tactics employed by both pairs. And as the lead went up and down like a fiddler’s elbow, each pair saddled as much pressure as possible on the other, it came as no surprise to hear one pair won by the skin of their teeth. Kate Cole and Clive Brooker, and Cheryl Coad and Jason Mullins, were all in top form when they locked horns in a ‘rock til you drop’ game of huge proportions. With each pair knowing their partner’s game styles well, they threw caution to the wind as they strove hard to undermine any and all of their opponents’ strengths with gusto and optimism. And with each having nothing left to give, and with nothing left on, below or beside the table, final scores saw Kate and Clive taking the honours by a whisker. With plenty of games already played, ‘people mover’ David Harris and ‘country boy’ Bruce Fletcher announced ‘we’re out to getcha’ when they lined up to take on Pete, who sprung out of nowhere to partner ‘town flyer’ Adrian Brunken in a tight tussle from go to whoa. With David leading with the left hand, supported by his right-hand man Bruce, they posed a threat to Pete and Adrian on both sides of the table. But Pete and Adrian repeatedly pulled their own rabbits out of the bag to nullify many prospective ‘gotchas’ as they covered all points of the table and beyond. At various stages of the game, each pair held a sizeable lead, only to be brought back to earth as scores became even – as is said, patience is a virtue, and it was Pete and Adrian whose patience led them to having the last laugh as they won the tie-breaker. Following a night of non-stop action, everyone retired to the supper table to wet their whistles and tuck into the variety of bakers’ delights. Adults and secondary school students of al ages and abilities are welcome to join the group which meets every Monday night beginning at 7pm at the Oxley hall.

Cracking shots at Oxley table tennis

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