LOCAL TENNIS with Donna Schoenmaekers
Early morning rain threatened to spoil semi-final day for Tennis Geelong’s Midweek Women’s competition on Tuesday, but by start time the dark clouds had cleared and allowed play to commence.
Section 6 saw St Mary’s upset St Stephen’s four sets to two in the elimination final. St Stephen’s only missed out on a second chance by percentage, and will have to wait until next year for another crack at the title.
Minor premiers Western Heights Uniting had a tough day against Grovedale in the first-semi. The home team slugged out 6-4, 7-5 wins in the first two sets, but the final four sets were split, giving them a 4-2 win, but with three of these sets decided 6-4 or 7-5, it was well earned.
The closest match of the day was the first-semi in Section 5 between Surfcoast Bellbrae and Drysdale, although it didn’t start that way when Juc, through some great rallying, won through in the first three sets. Drysdale were not to be discounted however, winning the remaining three sets, including a tie-break in the sixth to leave the teams drawn on sets and games.
Gayle Roche and Bronwyn O’Sullivan for Juc then faced off against Drysdale’s Helen Glavocih and Megan Koolen for direct entry into the grand final. Juc proved too good in the end taking the decider 6-0, but
Drysdale will have a chance to force a rematch if they can take the win over Grovedale, who had the best win of the day going up four sets to one against St Stephens, putting them in an unbeatable position.
After each team posted a 5-1 win against the other during home and away, it was anyone’s guess how the second-semi in Section 4 was going to go.
Eastern Districts were only two games ahead after the first two sets, and then Barwon Heads took it back to one going into the final two. Barwon Heads went ahead winning the fifth 6-2, and while Districts took the last, with the result at 7-5, Barwon Heads finished ahead by one game, going into the preliminary final against Ocean Grove.
Ocean Grove had a slow start against ladder leaders Surfcoast Torquay Yellow in the first-semi with Torquay taking the first two sets before the teams traded set for set, leaving the Grove to front up next week. Torquay gets a rest before grand final day.
It was a day for the home teams in Section 3 with minor premiers Highton Blue getting up in the first-semi 4-2 over Surfcoast Torquay Black while Mount Moriac drew on sets with Wandana Heights, but held a four-game lead keeping them alive to face Torquay Black in the prelim.
Section 2 was a day for the visitors, although only just with both matches tied on sets and decided on games.
Grovedale were even with Winchelsea after the first two sets before going ahead three sets to one with two sets to play. Winchelsea fought back taking the final two sets, but couldn’t make up the game difference with Grovedale finishing three games ahead.
Winch will face Ocean Grove in the prelim after defeating Point Lonsdale in the second-semi. The teams split the first two sets before Lonny pulled ahead three sets to one with a slim two-game advantage and two sets to play. Ocean Grove kicked into gear taking the final two sets 6-3 and 6-2 to level the teams on sets with the Grove ahead by five games.
Surfcoast Torquay battled strong southerly winds as well as Ocean Grove in Section 1’s second-semi. The teams went set for set through the day with Torquay eventually winning
by three games tied on sets. Torquay will meet Geelong Lawn Pink in the prelim after they went down to Surfcoast Bellbrae two sets to four in the first-semi.
