LOCAL TENNIS with Donna Schoenmaekers
It was perfect conditions for Tennis Geelong’s grand final day and the level of play in Junior Pennant was just as good with eight of the 17 sections decided only by games difference.
The biggest winner for the day was Geelong Lawn, with a colossal 13 teams playing in 10 finals, finishing with eight wins for the day.
Minor premiers in Green Ball 1, 3 Boys and 8 Boys had narrow wins by six games over Drysdale and four games over Grovedale and Bannockburn.
Green Ball 3 had a 4-2 win over Surfcoast Bellbrae and 6 Boys defeated Wandana Heights five sets to one.
In the battle of Green versus White Lawn teams, Green got up by one game in 9 Boys while White prevailed in Green Ball 2 by four and four sets to two in 5 Boys.
Beachside upset Lawn in 1 Girls with a match that was neck and neck, with only two games separating the teams, and Waurn Ponds came from third in Green Ball 3 to beat Lawn 4-2.
Western Heights Uniting was the only other club with multiple wins taking out the double of sections 2 and 3 Girls. The results for the teams were opposite ends of the spectrum with Section 3 consolidating an early lead to finish 5-1 against Surfcoast Torquay while Section 2 won three of singles before Drysdale came back winning the two doubles, taking the match to a deciding set, when the final result was tied on sets and games. Uniting came out firing in the decider taking it 6-0 to give the club a second win for the day.
While Drysdale was unlucky in Green Ball 1 and 2 Girls, 4 Girls had a much better day with a 5-1 win over Ocean Grove.
Grovedale also had three teams in finals, coming home with one win, when 1 Boys, coming from third, to overcome Wandana Heights by seven games.
Hamlyn Park came from third to win 7 Boys over Grovedale by four games.
Barwon Heads was victorious in 4 Boys with a 4-2 over Lara, while in Section 2 they went down by the narrowest of margins. The teams were tied on sets and games with Clifton Springs While after the singles but White fought hard and managed to edge ahead by one game at the end of the day.
St Mary’s had just one team playing, but made the most of the opportunity in 5 Girls winning three of the four singles before following up with a win in the first doubles to clinch the win 4-2.
