The Men this morning played South Africa. The opposition now lead by former Australian Head Coach, Marcus Gustaffson. Marcus brings t the match a lot of knowledge about the Australian players especially the young David Powell, who he worked with extensively during his time as National coach and also owhen David travelled to Sweden to train and stay with Marcus.

David Powell started and went down to the experienced Shane Overmeyer.

Then it came to the ever reliable William Henzell to take up the challenge against South Africa’s number 2 Theo Coghill. Although Theo took a game against Henzell he was never really pushed. Henzell used a great variety of topspin to dominate his opponent.

Again the crucial 3rd match came with Oh Nam Oh making his debut for Australia. He showed a good deal of composure to take the first two sets. Playing an open game that he thrives on, Nam was able to out rally his opponent. Nam, born and brought up in South Korea displays the typlcail rallying game of the strong Koreans. He uses his topspin from away from the table to dominate his opponent.

So with a 2 – 1 lead it brought Henzell back to the table to take on Overmeyer. Overmeyer an experienced and confident player. Henzell looked a little out of sorts in the first game missing a lot of balls he would otherwise make. Overmeyer took the first game. However the second game was a different affair with Henzell looking more determined, going out to a 5 – 0 lead. Overmeyer clawed his way back to 8 – 6 but Henzell reverting back to his low flying topspins was able to level at 1 – 1.

Henzells backhand topspin return off a short ball early in the fourth game gave Overmeyer trouble allowing Henzell to get into a free flowing topspin game and dominate early. Again a few errors crept into the Henzell game allowing Overmeyer back in to 9 – 8. But a strong long push return and then a short serve and punishing forehand topspin saw an end to the 3rd game and a 2 – lead for Henzell.

Overmeyer started well with strong topspins in the rally to go out to a 6 – 3 lead. Henzell struggled to get his low flying topspins to land. A long deep breath at 8 -6 seemed to settle Henzell temporarily but Overmeyer still managed to close out the game. Henzell seemed troubled by the wind in the stadium caused by the air conditioning. The players had noticed on this table in particular during their training that there was a stiff breeze caused by the air conditioning system.

So 2 – 2 and everything to play for in the fifth game.

Henzell composed himself to go out to 4 – 0. Overmeyer needed a time out. Could this help Overmeyer? Henzell came out and made a high spinny forehand topspin off a long ball, 5 – 0 at the change of ends. The game progressed to 6 – 3 with Overmeyer starting to get himself back into the game and this time it was Henzell needing a time out. Again the backhand topsin off a short serve gave Henzell the next point and confidence to allow his flowing topspins. Overmeyer had could not withstand the onslaught of the Henzell A game with an 11 – 3 finish to the game, match and tie. Australia taking the tie 3 – 1 and avenging their loss to South Africa at the Commonwealth Championships a year ago.