..:: Round 16 Preview ::..

21/2/09

As we approach the final 3 weeks of the home and away season, the final four look set in concrete. There is however, room to move in the four, with the Lawn, Mozzies and South all vying for the all important double chance.

Bendigo Lawn vs South Bendigo @ Lawn Crts 5, 6 & 7

Bendigo Lawn and South Bendigo will renew hostilities in the Round 16 action of the BTA's Premier League.  It will be the last time these two teams meet before finals, and will give both teams the opportunity of seeing first hand what its going to take to win this years title.

The undoubted highlight of this match will be in the no 1 men's singles, where South's Corbin Fleming will go head-to-head with the leagues top ranked player Curt Garwood.  Garwood has been in phenomenal form this year, having not lost a game in his last two singles matches.  Fleming however, holds a 1-0 lead in singles this year having won their only other meeting 8-2 way back in round 8.  With his huge serve and pin-point vollies, he will be extremely tough for Curt to counter on the lawn courts. 

In the other mens matches, South's Frank Ryan, Grant Leader and Simon Kelly are likely to match up on Stefan Butson, Nick Bath and Michael Nihill.  The three lefties from Lawn have been in tremendous touch this year, and are likely to be to solid for their South opponents.

In the ladies, Mandy Connors-Butson and Cortney Jarman will appreciate the return to the lawn courts.  They are tipped to have too many weapons for Maxine Everitt and Paige Ipsem.

Verdict: The Lawn team on the grass just look too strong, 8 sets to 4.

Strath Park vs Strath Park Storm @ Lawn Crts 11 12 & 13

Club rivals Strath Park and Strath Park Storm will both be aiming for bragging rights in their final encounter of the 2008/09 season.  Whist the Storm are again entering another finals campaign, it will be a season to forget for the bottom placed Strath.  With only 1 solitary win, against the storm in round 1, it has been a long time between drinks for the league cellar dwellers.

Strath Park will be hoping the inclusion of Melbourne Pennant Grade 1 player Adam Arnold can provide the spark to get them a rare victory.  With Alistair Baker unavailable, Arnold will look to step into the no 2 position and provide support to Jack Baker.  The pair will dual against the experienced Storm combination Terry Smith and Michael Smyth, in what is likely to be an entertaining battle.

Lower in the order, James McArthur and Michael Hogan will be looking to gain some confidence heading into the finals.  They will likely be pitted against Strath pair Leon Retallick and Jarred Epps. 

In the ladies, Strath's Eliza Long and Heather Robbins will have a close battle with Michelle Rodwell and Tova Smith.  Rodwell has been in super impressive form of late and will be favored to win on the grass courts.  Robbins and Smith will likely have a long battle, with Robbins impressive result over Bronwyn Osborne last week perhaps giving her the advantage.

Verdict: These two teams generally have a close battle, however, the Storm generally have the answers and should win 7 sets to 5.

Castlemaine vs Spring Gully Mozzies @ Lawn Crts 8, 9 & 10
 

Following last weeks drubbing at the hands of Bendigo Lawn, Castlemaine will be looking to try to pick up the pieces against 2nd placed Spring Gully Mozzies.  With finals no longer on the cards, the Maine will simply be hoping to put up a competitive showing in the final rounds of the year, in order to avoid the wooden spoon.

The Mozzies men have been in extremely impressive form late. Coming off last weeks sweep in the opening mens singles and doubles, th Mozzies pair of Jamie Brown and Travis Toner will present a tough challenge for Matt Hartland and Pat McMillian.  With Shane Burke out injured, McMillian will again be asked to to step up to fill the void. 

The other mens clash will likely pit Mozzies Steven Rogers and Peter Valentine, against Dean Harris and Robert Jefferies.  It has been a tough year for the Maines lower order men, who will be looking and hoping to steal a rare singles victory for their team.

The ladies looks to be fairly one sided on paper, with Jessica Hartland and Bronwyn Osborne likely to have the slick grass court game to handle Alyssa Cole and Jessie Culpitt.

Verdict:  The Mozzies to win 9 sets to 3.

Section 2 Round 16
BLTC Green vs Epsom @ CCC 14 & 15
Spring Gully New China vs BLTC Bronze @ CCC 12 & 13
Spring Gully Sensation vs Spring Gully Blue @ CCC 3 & 4

Section 3 Round 16
BLTC Rafa vs BLTC Blue @ CCC 25 & 26
Strath Park Symmetry vs BLTC Gold @ CCC 21 & 22
BLTC Red vs BLTC Federer  @ CCC 23 & 24