..:: Round 5 Preview ::..

8/11/08:

Due to ongoing works at the lawn courts, all round 5 Sports Power pennant matches have been moved to the Coca Cola Complex.  Except for the premier league match in Castlemaine.

In a top of the table clash, Premier League heavyweights Strath Storm and South Bendigo will go toe-to-toe in round 5.  The match of the round will feature some close battles between many of the regions strongest players.

Both teams take exceptional form into the the match, particularly in the mens, where the two sides have been dominant this season.  Strath Storm will welcome back skipper Michael Smyth, who has been absent for the past 3 weeks for the important game.

The question for Strath is will Andrew Lethlean continue in his spot at no 2 in the team, or will he step out of the side with Smyth's return.  Lethlean and partner Terry Smith have been the linchpin in the Storm's recent success, not only teaming well in the doubles and mixed, but getting the job done in the singles.  He has been a more that adequate replacement and if he continues to play will only strengthen an already solid mens line up.

The battle in the women's should be close, with South's Ashlea Baker and Maxine Everitt likely to match up well against the Storm pair of Tova Smith and Michelle Rodwell.  It will be interesting to see which Storm girl gets the job on Baker, as she has been in strong form for South this year and may have too many weapons for either opponent.

In the end though it will be hard to look past South for this match.  Whilst the Storm have been very good in recent weeks, the mens line up of Corbin Fleming, Frank Ryan, Grant Leader and Simon Kelly looks too strong.  Throw in Baker and Everitt for good measure and you have all the ingredients of a premiership winning team.

Verdict: South to win 7 sets to 5. 

Strath Park vs Spring Gully Mozzies @ CCC Crts 13, 14 & 15

After promising so much early, both Strath Park and the Spring Gully Mozzies have been left wanting in recent weeks.  The two teams opened the season strongly with solid wins, however, success has seemed to have dried up with both teams recording 3 consecutive losses since the opening round.  As a result both will be eager to perform so as not to lose touch with the top 3 teams.

Both clubs will welcome players back into their line ups, young starlet Eliza Long to return for Strath, whilst the Mozzies will hope captain Jamie Brown and no 2 Travis Toner can provide the spark to get them back onto the winners list.

The key of this match will be in the womens section, particularly the no 1 position where Eliza Long takes on Mozzies champ Jessica Hartland.  Hartland comes into the match following an unexpected loss to lawns Mandy Connors-Butson and will be keen to reassert her dominance on a younger opponent.  The no 2 ladies match will also be exciting, with the every consistent Heather Robbins clashing with Mozzie Bronwyn Osborne.  The two had a marathon last year, which saw Robbins prevail 10-8 in the tiebreaker.

In the mens, Strath will look to Alistair and Jack Baker to continue their impressive form together when they take Mozzies pair Jamie Brown and Travis Toner.  Brown has had a strangle hold on the two Strath men in recent years and will hope this trend continues.  The 3 and 4 mens spots will be close with Reuben Ellis and Leon Retallick likely to get the job on Peter Valentine and Steven Rogers.

This should be a very close match and is one neither team can really afford to lose.  If Strath can snaffle their share of singles wins, with their consistent doubles teams should be a chance come the mixed.

Verdict: 6 sets a piece, with Strath to get home by a whisker in an upset.

Castlemaine vs Bendigo Lawn @ Castlemaine

Bendigo Lawn will look to continue their winning ways when they travel to Castlemaine for their round 5 clash.  Lawn are one to watch and after disposing of the highly fancied Spring Gully Mozzies last week, have proven that they are the real deal in 2008/09.

For Castlemaine things don't seem to get any easier.  Matt Hartland will again have his work cut out for him when he takes the rampaging Curt Garwood.  Garwood is yet to drop a set this season and has taken pleasure in destroying anyone who gets in his path.  Hartland will need to look deep into the bag of tricks if he is to be competitive with the league no 1 ranked player.

For the women, Mandy Connors-Butson and Courtney Jarman will be hoping to open their doubles account when they take Kirby Jefferies and Jess Culpitt.  Connors-Butson will be brimming with confidence following last weeks stellar singles win over Jess Hartland and should have far to much class for the younger Castlemaine opponents.  Jarman will also hope to secure her first singles win of the season.

It could be another tough day at the office for Castlemaine, with lawn seeming to have far to many guns. The two Garwood boys, Tiger Nhill, Stephan Butson and Nick Bath will be to strong for the "maines" Hartland, Burke, Harris and Carre. With Connors-Butson and Jarman providing more than adequate support in the womens, its hard to seen where the Maine might win their sets.

Verdict: Lawn to win 10 sets to 2.

Section 2
BLTC Bronze vs Spring Gully Blue @ CCC 6 & 7
Spring Gully New China vs Epsom @ CCC 1 & 5
BLTC Green vs Spring Gully Sensation @ CCC 8 & 9

Section 3 Round 5
Strath Park Symmetry vs BLTC Red @ CCC 23 & 24
BLTC Blue vs BLTC Federer @ CCC 21 & 22
BLTC Rafa vs BLTC Gold @ CCC 10 & 11

 

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