LOCAL TENNIS with Donna Schoenmakers
The Midweek Summer season came to its conclusion in wintery conditions on Tuesday.
With rain threatening to spoil the day completely, the ladies ploughed on with all but one match played to a result.
Wandana Heights took on Grovedale in Section 9 and got over the minor premiers by taking the first four sets, before the final two sets were not finished. Wandana, which finished third at the end of the home and away season, had a battle with Grovedale, but in the end they dominated with the result beyond doubt with the last two sets to play.
It was a much closer affair in Section 8 when St Mary’s travelled to Moolap. The two teams were clear leaders through the season with Moolap winning the two completed matches leading into this final.
St Mary’s, however, wasn’t going to let previous form dictate the result. The first two sets were split, with Moolap winning the first in a tie break, while Natalie and Delwyne Purves got the second for St Mary’s 6-2. Sets three and four left the teams tied at two sets all, with St Mary’s ahead by five games.
With the final two sets going one each again, the match was decided on games advantage, which went to St Mary’s.
Ocean Grove started well against flag favourites Teesdale in Section 6, when it took the second set, after dropping the first, but that was the best they could do for the day with the minor premiers running away with the next four sets giving them a comfortable win.
Section 4 went a similar way when Moolap hosted Surfcoast Blue Jan Juc. Both teams started well winning a set each to start the match, but then Moolap took over and won the next four, with Felicia Johnson winning three, only dropping two games for the day.
The closest match of the day was between Drysdale and Barwon Heads in Section 3. This was the fourth meeting of the two teams with the results getting closer with each meeting, but Barwon Heads having the upper hand winning each match.
Tuesday’s match was neck and neck from the start with the teams alternating set wins, with the result tied at the end of the day three sets all and 24 games.
A deciding set pitted two winning combinations – Drysdale’s Kate Lockhart and Sally Brown against the Heads’ Jenny Inkster and Emma Webb, but the Drysdale pair proved too good in the end taking the decider 6-2, crowning them premiers.
Section 2 was a one-sided affair with Geelong Lawn Green taking the first four sets to put the result beyond doubt. Ocean Grove almost stole the first set after being down 2-4, coming back to 5-4 lead before succumbing 7-5 to Jacqui McGrath and Sarah Van Newkirk-Connor, but that was the best they could do against the minor premiers.
Section 1’s Surfcoast Torquay and Bellbrae decided to move play indoors to take the weather out of the match, and this made for some quality tennis.
Both teams used the whole court to their advantage with great serving, volleys, lobs, strong drives and court smarts features of the match. In the end Torquay proved too strong for Bellbrae taking a 4-2 win, led by Liz Flower winning her three sets.
