Peter Retallick pulled off the deciding win for No.2s sending his side to the final. Photos: Matthew Kappos
Echuca Table Tennis Association is approaching the climax of its first season for 2026, with semi-finals played on Wednesday night at the Moama Sporting Complex.
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The match of the night saw minor premier Racketeers take on fourth-ranked No.2s, which edged its way into the semis by game difference in the final round.
With both sides picking up a doubles victory, it came down to the last block of matched singles to decide the tie, all three lasting the full five games.
Ryan Simmons gave his Racketeers side the edge with a marathon 11-7, 11-13, 11-9, 15-17, 11-9 performance, putting the team within one match of the decider.
Jolene Doller’s Racketeers fell narrowly short of the final.
Chris Hawking would pull things level for No.2s in another five-gamer to set up a deciding showdown between both teams top players.
Season form painted Racketeers’ Jimmy Greenwood as the favourite against No.2s Peter Retallick and the match looked within his grasp as he jumped out to a two-game lead 11-7, 11-4.
However, Retallick would find his attacking touch and, after facing match points in a nervy 14-12 win in the third, he surged home 11-4, 11-8 to pull off the upset for No.2s and book a grand final ticket six matches to five.
Kate Schultz will represent The Odd Bunch in the grand final.
In the other semi, Titans took on The Odd Bunch in an encounter where the doubles proved crucial.
Both went the way of The Odd Bunch 3-1, Hank Doller first teaming with Ryan Smith to defeat Phil Higgins and Rob Russell, before combining with Kate Schultz to down Higgins and Harvey Griffiths.
It gave The Odd Bunch a significant advantage headed into the final singles block, needing to win only one further rubber to claim the victory.
Griffiths pulled one back for Titans, winning three games by razor-thin margins over Schultz 16-14, 11-9, 12-10.
Harvey Griffiths kept Titans in the match with a late singles win, but his side was eliminated in the semi-finals.
However, Smith would put the finishing touches on The Odd Bunch’s win, defeating Russell in three games to put the match beyond doubt six matches to four.
The Odd Bunch will now take on No.2s in the grand final, held this Wednesday, May 13 at the Moama Sporting Complex (corner of Echuca and Martin St) from 7pm, doors open from 6.30pm.
Spectators are welcome and spare tables will be available for those looking to have a hit or try their hand ahead of the next competition, which will begin in a few weeks.
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