It was a really nice battle! Pity Bayleef and Arcanine had to be eliminated so quickly, same with Golem. Also, Magnitude hitting Charizard? I get that in a normal episode, but in the league? Pity.
It really was a great battle though, and I loved Deliah. She's such an adorable mother. I know this happened in the previous episode, but when she told Ash she is so proud of him, I thought that was a beautiful moment. Pity she doesn't show up as much anymore nowadays.
The end of the episode was weirdly emotional. Gary taking the loss so well and clear respect being shown from both Ash and Gary, proving that all the teasing and bad-mouthing over the past was really out of respect, like Oak pointed out.