NSW 5th Ranking Tournament

OK the playoffs are done and dusted with only the open singles left for players to qualify, 30 players have qualified with 9 that can qualify if they play the open singles. So all in all a great result for 2008. Several wildcards have also been given into the playoffs to players from as far out as Newcastle, Lithgow, Albury Wodonga so that will add to the playoffs.

The 5th and last ranking tournament saw 37 players do battle and it was a terrific day with the tables lightening fast and even mostly level as well. With the North Coast grand final day on Sunday 29th June at Coolangatta Hotel (18 teams playing off) this is going to be short and sweet as I am pushed for time to get the finals all set up and running for Sunday. Watty, Geoff, Irene, Northy??? and me will be at Coolie Hotel at 8.00am Sunday morning cleaning up after a Saturday night function and putting in 9 tables, brushing,ironing, levelling them and all the fun stuff. Any of you out there are welcome to come in and lend a hand.

Credo had to play Callum first up which was a bummer and Callum made him pay for a couple of blemishes from 2 zip down in the best of 5 double elimination format. Dene Heremaia seeded 2 found out the harsh realities of losing first round when he had to play 9 straight matches to rest the final through the back door. He did it though only to be belted by Watty 3 zip who had slipped past me in the main final 3-1.

“Moo” Malone got the cash for the leading lady so that should cover her expenses on her England trek with the Aussie girls team leaving tomorrow. Good luck to her and Travis Crawley our mens rep in their endevours. The late start to the World titles sucks as it cost both of them defending their singles titles.

Micky Allan, Geoffrey, Greenie, Barry King, Jeff Peters, Mark Morrison, with myself and Watty made the last 8.

All the work is in front of us now but we will be a much stonger group at the Nationals than previously. Bring it on.