Jeffress to challenge local Rose

Brisbane’s Anthony Jeffress heads to Bundaberg today as top seed for the Bundaberg Radiology Open Table Tennis title, but home-town favourite Bodo Rose is standing firmly in his way.

Rose, the defending champion, is untouchable on the local scene but is sure to face his toughest test against the likes of Jeffress and Queensland champion Steve Mitchell, of Toowoomba.

More than 80 players will come together for the tournament in more than 30 events in various grades.

Bernadette Caldwell, a former Australian junior gold medallist, will be favoured to take out the women’s singles but is likely to face some good opposition from Bundaberg’s three up-and-coming juniors, Tabitha Loveday, Susan McDonald and Queensland under-13 champion Courtney Rose.

The Rose family will be looking for further success from 14-year-old Daniel in various junior and graded events. Long-time club champion John Fourro, who is coming out of semi-retirement this year, is rearing to go in the restricted singles and over-40s.

Competition starts at 9am today at the Bundaberg Table Tennis Centre, Kendalls Road, and will finish tomorrow about 3.30pm.