OOAK Table Tennis Forum

Well have not long come home from an exhiliarating night's TT in our Grand Final. OK so its not first division or even second, actually its fourth. But hey, a trophy is a trophy and they have been few and far between in my TT career. So I'm kind of stoked but it, although the trophy itself isn't terribly flash, it says Premiers on it and thats enough.

Must say had a few nerves to start. My partner decided he would play first, as being home team for it (don't know why) second plays two in a row. So he plays the first girl and it was a fierce slog out match with some great smash-block rallies. He won it finally 4-3. I then played what I considered the weaker opponent, who I have beaten 4-0 before. She came out with guns blazing and I played defensively. Put a lot of smashes back on the table and didn't do a lot of smashing myself, just lots of chopping and spinning high loops (some went on some didn't). Lost the first game 13-15. Won second and third (11-2, 12-10 I think), she won the fourth 11-8 and then I won 5 & 6 (can't even recall scores but it was tight). So result was 4-2.

Then I had to play her sister who has beaten me 4-3 last 2 times I played her. She took the first game 11-9 and we were chopping it back and forth at each other with the ball gaining spin all the time and it was the one who finally succumbed to the underspin who would drop it to the net each time.
In the second game I realised I could get whitewashed so I think I lifted a step and got her off-balance and she smashed into the net or long a lot. I won the second about 11-8 I think. The 3rd, 4th and 5th were all equally tight around the 11-8 11-9 mark, but I managed to snaffle them all to win 4-1. This gave us a 16 to 5 point lead and we needed only 2 points to win the flag. My mate played the (supposedly) weaker sister and in the first game scrambled to win 16-14 in an epic battle. In the second game it was a more accommodating 11-7 and it was all over as we had 18 of the 35 points available. No doubles needed.

After 2 heavy games in a row I must say I was a bit shagged, but felt good to finish the season on a high. Now we go up a division and I'm hoping the Instinct+ with Milky Way 3 Star and 729 Blue FX that haggisv is supplying me will lift my game to at least be competitive next year. I'm sure the better players up there will force me to lift my skills, and I think staying with this forum I will pick up heaps of tips from all you guys to help me stay afloat. It will be interesting.

Gotta say I'm lovin my TT again!

_________________
I'm always in the dark, but the Dark sheds lights upon everything!! Beauty is only pimple deep! Beauty is in the eye of the pipholder!
S/U 1: Blade: Bty Gergely . FH Black Andro Rasant 2.1 . BH Red Tibhar Grass Dtecs
S/U 2: Blade: Bty Gergely . FH Black Hexer+ 2.1 . BH Red GD Talon
S/U 3: Blade: Bty Gergely . No rubbers...thinking of adding Red Dtecs and Black Rasant
Aussie Table Tennis Shop / Aussie Table Tennis Facebook Page / Equipment Review Index / Read my Reb Report Blog: click here.

Congrats. Keep up the good job.

_________________
Equipment:
Victas Koji Matsushita, Yasaka Rakza 7 2.0, TSP P1r Curl 1.5-1.7

USATT Rating: 1869

MOLON LABE!!!

Thanks for the encouragement Joe, will do my best.

_________________
I'm always in the dark, but the Dark sheds lights upon everything!! Beauty is only pimple deep! Beauty is in the eye of the pipholder!
S/U 1: Blade: Bty Gergely . FH Black Andro Rasant 2.1 . BH Red Tibhar Grass Dtecs
S/U 2: Blade: Bty Gergely . FH Black Hexer+ 2.1 . BH Red GD Talon
S/U 3: Blade: Bty Gergely . No rubbers...thinking of adding Red Dtecs and Black Rasant
Aussie Table Tennis Shop / Aussie Table Tennis Facebook Page / Equipment Review Index / Read my Reb Report Blog: click here.

Sounds like a super result, especially the part about doing whatever it took adjusting play and nerves to win. Winners win, it is what they do, regardless of their conditions.

_________________
Goof-off chopping bat
Gambler All Rosewood
Aurus Soft / Gambler GXL .6 sponge

Status - Out of Business Janitor/Babysitter

Totally agree Der-E,

I couldn't say I played the most satisfying games of my life tonight, as I think I might have landed a total of about 4 or 5 smashes (well maybe a few more) for the nights play (probably only attempted a dozen or so). I did however pull off quite a few loops that avoided their paddles either to my left (spinning away from their forehand), or the spin keeping it low and sneaking beneath them. The rest of it was just plodding along to ensure I got it back more often than they did, no matter what. Actually found I made them play more of my game than their own. And that vege oil tip bought my 20y.o. Tackiness rubbers back to enough life to make my chops always ready to dive off any weak push. Funny thing is I think the red became tackier than the black. Picking up a ball and holding for a second isnt bad for out-of-retirement rubbers, hey?

This game is an artform aint it? And whats more you dont just have to look!

_________________
I'm always in the dark, but the Dark sheds lights upon everything!! Beauty is only pimple deep! Beauty is in the eye of the pipholder!
S/U 1: Blade: Bty Gergely . FH Black Andro Rasant 2.1 . BH Red Tibhar Grass Dtecs
S/U 2: Blade: Bty Gergely . FH Black Hexer+ 2.1 . BH Red GD Talon
S/U 3: Blade: Bty Gergely . No rubbers...thinking of adding Red Dtecs and Black Rasant
Aussie Table Tennis Shop / Aussie Table Tennis Facebook Page / Equipment Review Index / Read my Reb Report Blog: click here.

Great effort mate, congrats!

_________________
OOAK Table Tennis Shop | Re-Impact Blades | Butterfly Table Tennis bats
Setup1: Re-Impact Smart, Viper OX, Victas VS 401 Setup2: Re-Impact Barath, Dtecs OX, TSP Triple Spin Chop 1.0mm Setup3: Re-Impact Dark Knight, Hellfire OX, 999 Turbo
Recent Articles: Butterfly Tenergy Alternatives | Tenergy Rubbers Compared | Re-Impact User Guide

Unfortunately not slippery Next season doesnt start until late Feb. I have been having a practice with my mate in his garage each week or so. We played today and had 36 practice matches. He won 14 and I won 22, which is unusual as we are normally fairly even. However my new bat seems to be coming into its own. The number of smash blocks I put back at him today was amazing. I'm talking balls that would normally be out of control if you even got a bat on them just bulleting back on the table. And my mates forte' is his hard hitting. I just love the 1.5 729FX (thanks Alex). And the Milky Way is getting better and better for my loops.

So progress reports will have 3 months to wait for comp. Hangin out to make them though.

Cheers,

Reb.

_________________
I'm always in the dark, but the Dark sheds lights upon everything!! Beauty is only pimple deep! Beauty is in the eye of the pipholder!
S/U 1: Blade: Bty Gergely . FH Black Andro Rasant 2.1 . BH Red Tibhar Grass Dtecs
S/U 2: Blade: Bty Gergely . FH Black Hexer+ 2.1 . BH Red GD Talon
S/U 3: Blade: Bty Gergely . No rubbers...thinking of adding Red Dtecs and Black Rasant
Aussie Table Tennis Shop / Aussie Table Tennis Facebook Page / Equipment Review Index / Read my Reb Report Blog: click here.