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Preliminary Finals Wrap: 30/3/09

Premier League

Spring Gully Mozzies have scraped through a see-sawing battle in their preliminary final clash against Strath Park Storm and will now face Bendigo Lawn in next weeks Grand Final

Spring Gully Mozzies 84-6-6 df Strathdale Park Storm 78-6-6

From the opening men’s doubles the scene was set for a close competition. Michael Smyth and Andrew Lethlean took an early lead on Jamie Brown and Travis Toner and at one stage held a 5-2 lead. However that lead was quickly eroded, through the determination of Spring Gully Captain Jamie Brown. Brown was solid at the net and was well supported by Toner as they were able to claw their way back and ended up taking the first set 9-7.

With the next 2 sets going as expected the Mozzies found themselves with a comfortable lead of 3 sets to 0, going into the singles.

The Storm men of Lethlean, Smyth, Michael Hogan and James McArthur dominated their singles matches winning 9-8, 8-3, 8-6, 8-6 respectively and suddenly Storm found themselves back in the competition and leading.

When Jess Hartland, who is rated as one of the best, over ran a nervous Tova Smith, 8-2 and Bronwyn Osbourne defeated Michelle Rodwell 8-5 it again gave the Mozzies the lead and looked like they were going to run away with the match.

The following 2 sets were shared and somehow the Storm combination of Smyth and McArthur managed to score a big upset against Valentine and Toner winning 8-5.

This meant that the last set of the day would determine the winner.

An untried combination of Andrew Lethlean and Tova Smith were coming up against , perhaps, the best mixed combination in Bendigo, of Jamie Brown and Jess Hartland.  This match had it all with powerful hitting and superb touch. It was only one service break that was the difference in the end, giving Brown and Hartland another mixed double victory and clinched the match for the Mozzies.

Best Players:
Mozzies: Jess Hartland, Jamie Brown and Browyn Osborne.
Strathdale Park Storm: Andrew Letlhlean, Michael Smyth and Michael Hogan.

Section 2

Minor Premiers Spring Gully Sensation now have an opportunity to redeem themselves in the Grand Final next week as they narrowly defeated a gallant challenge from Epsom.

Spring Gully Sensation 5-66 defeated Epsom 5-59

The opening sets of Paul Henshall against Josh Thurwood, 8-5 and Jane StClair against Josie Stewart, 8-0, proved to be the difference in what was a well contested match between these two teams.
Epsom were clearly the underdogs going into this match but they can hold their heads high as they threatened the much stronger Spring Gully team all day
After Spring Gully’s surprise loss last week, the inclusions of Mark Perdon and Jenny Jacobs were always going to make it tough for Epsom.

Terry Baker, 9-8, 8-5,8-5 was in great form for Epsom and has been improving each week.

Going into the last 2 sets of the match, Spring Gully led by just 9 games which was just enough as Epsom fell just 7 short of victory in a nail-biting finish.

Best Players
Spring Gully Sensation: Mark Perdon, Jenny Jacobs and Paul Henshall
Epsom: Terry Baker, Helen Dudley and Anthony Ilott


Section 3

BLTC Federer 5-64 defeated BLTC Rafa 5-54

Best Players
BLTC Federer: Ashlea Jenkyn, Zoltan Smyth, and Tori Adamson
BLTC Rafa: Sam Storer, Andy Harrison and Paige Gordon



GRAND FINALISTS

Premier League: Bendigo Lawn v Spring Gully Mozzies
Section 2: Spring Gully New China v Spring Gully Sensation
Section 3: BLTC Red v BLTC Federer