It was the first week of finals for all eight team sections in Tennis Geelong’s junior and senior pennants, with ideal conditions for both competitions. The afternoon’s play produced a variety of results, but good tennis across all sections.
In the men’s grades section 1 saw Grovedale Black and Clifton Springs winning their first four sets in their finals to earn the week off and a match up with Grovedale Yellow in the prelim final.
Section 2 men produced a similar result with Waurn Ponds winning through to the grand final with a 6-0 win over Geelong Lawn, who will face Moolap Yellow in the prelim, after their 5-1 win over a depleted Moolap Black.
Minor premiers Bannockburn won the first semi-final in section 3 men 4-2 over neighbours Inverleigh, who will now face Moolap in their prelim final. Ocean Grove weren’t helped by an injury sustained in the match warm up, but with five players available they were able to regroup, but couldn’t match Moolap going down 6-0.
The mixed sections were a little more varied with section 2 having two upsets with Moriac getting up 5-1 over minor premiers Clifton Springs and Highton reversing their fortunes against third placed Grovedale to keep their finals hopes alive.
Section 5 also saw the home teams on the wrong side of the score line when Lara toppled Newcomb 4-2 and Drysdale put themselves into the preliminary final with their 4-2 win over Clifton Springs.
Section 3 minor premiers Anglesea fought hard against St Mary’s, with 4=four of the sets going to seven, so while St Mary’s took the win five sets to one, with 34 games to 30, they will enjoy the rest with their week off. Hamlyn Park also had a 5-1 win in the second Semi over Grovedale, and will need to bring their A game for the prelim against Anglesea.
Section 1’s Waurn Ponds moved into the grand final with their 4-2 win over Grovedale, while Bannockburn played their first match against Highton, due to two washouts, and lived to fight another day with a 5-1 win.
Section 4 also saw the favourites move forward with Moriac winning the first Semi 4-2 over Clifton Springs and Teesdale taking a clean sweep against Grovedale, in their first encounter for the season.
The new open format produced some great tennis, and some of the closest results for the day.
Section 1 will see Geelong Lawn’s Green and White teams play off in the prelim final after Green finished level on rubbers and sets but down by 1 game to Highton, while White drew on rubbers, but went ahead five sets to three and 11 games.
The first semi in S=section 2 was also level on rubbers and sets, with Moolap taking the surprise win by one game over undefeated Wandana Heights White, while Ocean Grove bested third place Highton three rubbers to one.
Section 3 minor premiers Wandana Heights White suffered only their second loss for the season going down to Grovedale 3-1, while third placed Ocean Grove had a convincing win over Drysdale four rubbers and eight sets to love.
Section 4 also saw the favourites win through when Drysdale earned their grand final berth with a 3-1 win over Newcomb and Lara a clean sweep over Surfcoast Jan Juc.
With a week off for the Labour Day weekend, all finalists will be itching to get back on court in two weeks.
