Round 9 of Tennis Geelong Triples set the stage for a fascinating final week, with three of the seven sections still undecided which teams will make the winner-take-all one-week finals.
Section 2 saw the third-place Grovedale 40s host top side Moolap Zing Kings, in a match that would have likely knocked the home team out of finals contention with a loss.
Instead, the 40s triumphed with a 4-2 win on their favoured synthetic grass surface. The Zing Kings were also hampered with an injury sustained by their number 1 Josh Simic, which led to a final set 6-0 defeat by Grovedale number 1 Rob Ward.
Number 2 team Hamlyn Park H.E.A.T. kept a two-point ladder lead with a 4-2 win over Moolap Goats. Heading into the final round, Zing Kings
were four points clear and host fifth-place Moolap Young Bucks, but H.E.A.T. are hosting 40s in a winner-take-all match to decide who will make the grand final.
Section 4 features Highton Grown Ups well in the lead, but a three-way tie for second between Hamlyn Park Warriors, Grovedale Four Posts and Smashville. Smashville pulled into this position with a season-saving 5-1 win over Hamlyn Park in round 9, closing in on an enormous season-long comeback after a forfeit in round 1.
In round 10, Four Posts look to have the toughest road to getting the second position, with a match at the Grown Ups.
Smashville will play fifth-placed Rally Cats, who have some momentum after a round 9 win over the top side. Hamlyn Park will travel to play sixth-placed Wandana Heights Fuzzy Balls.
Section 3 has a heightened amount of intrigue as well, with each of the top three teams controlling their own destiny to make the grand final. Highton’s LOBsters narrowly kept their top position in round 9, needing a 6-2 final doubles set victory to sneak out a 3-3 29-27 win over fifth place Lara. All Saints White dropped back into a tie for second after a 3-3 30-23 loss to The Winks Wizards.
In round 10, they’ll play LOBsters, who are just two points in front. Even-second Highton Three of a Kind will travel to play fourth-placed Winks Wizards on the Wizards’ favoured red porous surface at Geelong Lawn.
With the right results, any of LOBsters, All Saints, or Three of a Kind could find themselves in first or second at the end of the regular season.
