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On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the Northmead Squash Centre came alive for Spring Pennant Grand Final Night. The culmination of weeks of intense competition, the grand finals brought together the season's top teams, delivering great matches and memorable moments.
The Division 4 Grand Final brought a thrilling intra-club showdown between Wenty 13 and Wenty 14, two evenly matched teams who had been neck-and-neck all season.
Wenty 13 (Rob Cole, John Granata, Annette Hopkins, captained by Monica Rigby) finished the season at the top of the ladder with 152 points, boasting 11 wins and 4 losses. Interestingly, two of those losses came against their Grand Final opponents, Wenty 14.
Wenty 14 (Irene Gilbert, Linda Cortese, Mario Cristi, captained by Wendy Fox) finished second with 122 points, recording 10 wins and 5 losses.
The teams were separated by just one match win, highlighting the competitiveness of the division. Throughout the Pennant, Wenty 13 held a slim 3-2 head-to-head advantage over Wenty 14, with only a 2 HQ points difference between them.
Final Result: Wenty 13 proved their mettle, defeating Wenty 14 with a decisive performance
Congratulations to both teams for an incredible season and a fantastic finale!
Division 3 Grand Final: Wenty 10 Upsets the Favorites
The Division 3 Grand Final set the stage for an exciting clash between top-seeded Premier 3 and third-placed Wenty 10, sparking questions about whether Premier 3 could continue their dominance in Division 3, like the Penrith Panthers’ reign in the NRL.
Premier 3 (David Purcell, Rodney Limpic, and Captain John Fowler) has built their success on a stable team lineup over the years, with the addition of new No. 1 Sean Albert this season. They finished with an impressive 11 wins and just one loss, following a perfect 12-0 record in the Autumn Pennant. However, there were rumours of a decline looming.
Meanwhile, Wenty 10 (Captain Gillian Kirby, Jagadeesh Virothi, Tabitha Bratton, and Thanh Trung) entered the Grand Final as the underdogs, having finished the season in third place with 6 wins and 6 losses. Their spot in the final was hard-earned, with a narrow 7-point victory over second-placed Wenty 9 in the semifinals.
Premier 3 had won all three of their prior encounters with Wenty 10 during the season, including matches where they were missing key players. Despite the odds, Wenty 10 was determined to put up a fight in the Grand Final.
Final Result: In a stunning upset, Wenty 10 toppled Premier 3 in a tightly contested match
Congratulations to Wenty 10 for their resilience and to both teams for delivering a thrilling conclusion to the Division 3 competition!
Division 2 Grand Final: A Battle of Magpies
The Division 2 Grand Final promised to be one of the most closely contested matches of the night, with Wenty 8 and Wenty 7 delivering on that promise in a thrilling showdown.
Wenty 8 (Paul Gergis, Leigh Ditu, Roslyn Doyle, and Captain Sam Farrugia) topped the regular season standings with 142 points, achieving 10 wins and 5 losses—a testament to their consistency. The team maintained its core lineup from past seasons, introducing the young and talented Paul Gergis as their new No. 1 player, replacing veteran Mark Forland. Gergis, a standout from the Rob Leisner Squash Academy, brought fresh energy to an already strong team.
Their challengers, Wenty 7 (captained by Chris Mitrovich and featuring Bernard Worsley, Phi Dao, and Gary Donovan), finished third with 120 points, securing 8 wins and 7 losses. While their overall record was modest, they entered the Grand Final in top form, having demolished second-placed Wenty 6 in the semifinals with a commanding 12-1 victory.
Head-to-head, Wenty 7 had a narrow 3-2 edge over Wenty 8 during the season, adding intrigue to the matchup. However, their most recent clash on October 30 saw Wenty 8 without Leigh Ditu, evening the scales for the Grand Final.
Final Result: In a closely fought contest, Wenty 8 emerged victorious over Wenty 7
Congratulations to both teams for an exceptional season and an unforgettable finale in Division 2!
Division 1 Grand Final: Wenty 1 Claims Top Honours
The Division 1 Grand Final brought together the best of the best in a thrilling contest between Wenty 2 and Wenty 1, two teams that dominated the Spring Pennant season.
Wenty 2 (Danny Hedges, Captain Clive Aviet, Wally Elazzi, and rising star Mehdi Hakimi) secured the top spot after 15 rounds with 161 points, boasting 13 wins and only 2 losses. Their consistency throughout the season established them as the team to beat.
Not far behind, Wenty 1 (Peter Bastow as Captain, Lyndal Amer, Barry Davis, and Tim Doyle) finished second with an identical win-loss record of 13-2 and 142 points. Both teams were a cut above the rest, leaving third-placed Premier trailing by 36 points.
The head-to-head battle during the season saw Wenty 1 hold a slight edge with a 2-1 record over Wenty 2, including a key victory during the Australian Masters when Wenty 2 was missing their No. 1 player. This set the stage for a much-anticipated showdown in the Grand Final.
Final Result: Wenty 1 delivered a commanding performance to defeat Wenty 2
Congratulations to Wenty 1 for their stellar display and to both teams for an incredible season that truly highlighted the talent in Division 1!
A Grand Final Night to Remember
The evening was a celebration of talent & teamwork. Congratulations to all grand finalists for their outstanding performances and thrilling matches. Also a special thanks to Wenty Leagues Club for their continued support.
For full results and post-match team photos, see the Gallery (click here).
Cheers
John Musumeci WLSC President