Tuesday Midweek Summer tennis began this week and last season’s premiers had a hard time in their new sections.
Ocean Grove moved into Section 1 coming up against last season’s third placed Surfcoast Bellbrae and showed that it will be in the mix with several close sets.
The Grove went down four sets to two, but with only five games difference in the final score, it was competitive and should prove to stay this way as the season progresses.
Ocean Grove was also promoted into Section 5 after its premiership win over winter, and was pitted against Drysdale away from home.
The teams split the first two sets with Fleur Paull and Jenni Hunter taking the first for Drysdale 6-3 while Robyn Lont and Helen Brotherton countered for the Grove winning the second 6-1.
From there, the home team took the remaining four sets with Paull being a three-set winner.
Grovedale had a tough introduction to Section 7 when it hosted Barwon Heads. The visitors, returning to competition after a season out, fought hard taking the first two sets 7-6, 6-4 then seem to hit their groove taking the remaining four sets and their first win for the season.
Highton faced Point Lonsdale in Section 2 and struggled away from home. Lonny’s Val Wilson and Highton’s Sue Pickering battled all day with Wilson taking the advantage 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, but Pickering took some of the spoils teaming with Kerrie Hosking to win Highton’s one set for the day.
Section 4 welcomed Barwon Heads from Section 5 and it hosted Wandana Heights in a tight match.
Emma Webb and Sally Fahey opened the day for the Heads with a 6-2 win while Melinda Chadwick and Wendy Bell countered for the Heights winning 6-0.
Sets three and four also went one each way, but Wandana won the final two sets 6-4, 7-5 giving it the win four sets to two with a four-game advantage.
Hamlyn Park had the closest result against Clifton Springs in Section 6, being level on sets with the Springs finishing one game ahead. The standout for the day was Cassandra Spain for Hamlyn Park winning her three sets.
The best win went to Moolap coming into Section 3 when it hosted the also promoted Point Lonsdale.
The teams have had good battles over the winter season, but it was Moolap’s day taking the first five sets before Point Lonsdale couldn’t take the court for the final set.
