This week marked the second-last home and away round for eight team sections in Tennis Geelong’s Saturday Pennants.
Numerous sections have teams fighting to make the four, including Section 1 Open where the top six teams were still in contention at the start of round 13.
Ladder leaders Highton dashed sixth placed Surfcoast Jan Juc Blue’s chances, with a win away from home. Highton started well winning both opening rubbers with Jamie Heaton taking the singles 6-2, 6-3 while Campbell Spong and Aaron Hanson followed suit in the doubles 6-2, 6-4.
Sibimanyu Jothikumar kept Juc in touch, winning the reverse singles 6-4, 6-3, but Heaton and Hanson sealed the win taking the doubles 6-2, 7-5. The win keeps Highton 12 points ahead of Newcomb, while Juc need a clean sweep and Barwon Heads to remain winless next week against Geelong Lawn to have a chance at sneaking into fourth.
Geelong Lawn received a welcome boost with Surfcoast Jan Juc White not being able to field a team this week. Receiving the full 16 points means that they remain eight points clear of Wandana Heights and 13 points ahead of Barwon Heads in fifth, almost guaranteeing their finals berth.
Newcomb proved too strong against eighth placed Surfcoast Torquay, keeping them in second. Taj Cayzer and Kai Crosby came through in the singles 6-2, 6-1 and 6-3, 6-3, while Cayzer teamed with David Kos to win the reverse doubles 6-1, 6-0. Torquay did take the first doubles rubber with Ryan Costello and Andrew Osburn prevailing after a slow start 2-6, 6-3, 10-8. The win leaves Newcomb nine points ahead of Geelong Lawn in third, but with match-ups next week, they could finish anywhere from first to third.
The final match of the day saw a battle for fourth place between Wandana Heights and Barwon Heads. The Heads started the day five points ahead, and with a win in their Round 6 clash, would hope to match the result. Rhys McNabb put the Heads in front with his 6-2, 6-1 win in the first singles, but Wandana countered in the doubles with brothers Lachie and Xavier Hanson winning 6-2, 6-3. From there Wandana took control with Lachie Hanson winning the reverse singles 7-5, 6-0, and Louis Walker and Xavier Hanson the doubles 7-6, 6-2, giving them the win for the day and pushing them into fourth place.
This week will see Geelong Lawn travel to Barwon Heads, Newcomb hosting Wandana and Highton at home to Surfcoast Torquay. All three matches will determine the final ladder positions.
