..:: Round 3 Preview ::..

Round 3 Preview
 

Round 3 of Premier league sees a change in scenery with matches being held at both the Lawn courts in Barnard St, and Castlemaine.  With all teams level on 1 win and 1 loss each, it is again going to be a great round of action.

Spring Gully Mozzies vs Strathdale Park Storm @ Lawn Crts 5, 6 & 7

The match of the round is definitely in the grand final rematch from last year between Spring Gully Mozzies and Strath Park Storm.  The teams take indifferent form into the match, with the Storm coming off a convincing win, whilst the Mozzies suffered their first defeat, all be it that they only had two men last week and were forced to forfeit 4 sets.

A point of interest for this match will be the Strath Storm women.  For the first time last week Michelle Rodwell was promoted ahead of Tova Smith to take the no 1 singles position.  Rodwell has been in stunning form in the A grade midweek ladies pennant and this experience on the Barnard St lawn may give here a slight edge.  However, she will be confronted with the most daunting task in ladies pennant, taking on the might of Jess Hartland and Bronwyn Osbourne.  Hartland is a superb all round player and feels as comfortable on the lawn as the hard courts.  If the Storm girls can cause an upset or two in either the doubles or the singles, they may be a sniff come the mixed.

In the men, the ever reliable Terry Smith will lead his charges against the torrid Jamie Brown and co.  The mens matches should be competitive, with the Mozzies likely to take the advantage in 3rd and 4th men positions through Steve Rogers and Peter Valentine.  With Michael Smyth still away for the Storm, the Mozzies should be too strong.

South Bendigo vs Castlemaine @ Castlemaine

The first road trip for the year will see South Bendigo travel to the Synthetic Grass of Castlemaine.  Both teams opened their win accounts last week and will be eager to continue to accumulate more points.  The key to the two teams success last week was the ability of their men to capture a majority of the sets and the result of the fella's battles will go a long way to deciding the match.

For Castlemaine Matt Hartland will need all the vigor and tenacity he can muster if he is to get anywhere near Souths big gun Corbin Fleming.  Fleming was clinical last week in his 3 matches, easily disposing of Hartland former team mate Jamie Brown.  Whilst Hartland did also record a convincing win last week he will have to raise his game to another unseen level to be a chance.

With Frank Ryan, Simon Kelly and Grant Leader all available, it is hard to see where the Maine may pick up their sets.  Alyssa Cole and Jess Culpitt always try hard, but the experience of Maxine Everitt and Erin Colman should be the telling and will ensure that South make it two in a row.

Strathdale Park vs Bendigo Lawn @ Lawn Crts 8, 9 & 10

The second of the premier league matches at the lawn sees Strath Park take on Bendigo Lawn at their home courts.  Both teams welcome back no 1 players Jack Baker and Curt Garwood respectively, both of whom will be keen to return their sides to the winners list.

Curt, along with brother Ward, Mandy Connors-Butson and Stephan Butson make for some handy inclusions for the Lawn this week and combined with the experience of Tiger Nihill and Courtney Jarman really make the Lawn team strong.  However, whilst a slip up last week, Strath are not ones to be intimidated.

The key in this game is the Lawn no 1's, in Curt Garwood and Mandy Connors-Butson.  Between those two they have the ability to take the game away from Strath with a combination of power and deft touch.  The match between Connors-Butson and Strath star Eliza Long will be a real highlight.  Whilst it will be extremely difficult for Long on the grass, her determination and never-give-up attitude is ensures she is a chance in every match she plays.  An upset is not without a possibility, and could be the impetus that spurs her team to victory.  

Spring Gully Blue vs BLTC Green @ CCC 14 & 15

Spring Gully New China vs Spring Gully Sensation @ CCC 18 & 19

Epsom vs BLTC Bronze @ CCC 16 & 17

BLTC Gold vs BLTC Blue CCC 6 & 7

BLTC Federer vs Strath Park Symmetry CCC 3 & 4

BLTC Rafa vs BLTC Red CCC 8 & 9

Round 1 Wrap click here...
Round 2 Wrap click here...