..:: Round 5 Wrap ::..

Round 5 Wrap - 8/11/08:

Premier League

Strath Park Storm 68-4-4 lt South Bendigo 81-8-8

The match of the round was saw the two top teams face off, with South Bendigo taking the points over Strath Park Storm. In a possible grand final preview, South had too many guns for their opposition, with their big name players coming to play.

In the men, spectators were treated to a high class opening doubles which saw Souths Aiden Fiztgerald and Frank Ryan take the points in a close tiebreaker, against the experienced Terry Smith and Michael Smyth.

Smyth, returning for his team following a 3 week spell shook off injury concerns to convincingly defeat Ryan in the singles. However, "Supervet" Terry Smith’s wining run came to an end at the hands of Aiden Fitzgerald, who possessed too many weapons for his more senior rival.

In the women's, again it was South doing all the right things with Ashlea Baker and Maxine Everitt proving too strong in both the ladies doubles and their singles against Tova Smith and Michelle Rodwell respectively. South will be extremely impressed with Everitt, as it is the first time in many meetings she has defeated Rodwell in singles.

Danny Watson and James McArthur did their part for the Storm, wining their singles matches, however when the bloods took the last 3 matches of the day, they had done enough to secure victory.

Best players for South included Aiden Fitzgerald, Maxine Everitt and Jono Guy. Whilst Michael Smyth was impressive in his return to top line tennis for the Storm.

Strath Park 78-4-4 lt Spring Gully Mozzies 83-8-8

Spring Gully Mozzies secured their second win for the season at the expense of Strath Park. In a close encounter the Mozzies won the games that mattered in an 8 sets to 4 victory.

Strath Park started the better of the teams with Jack and Alistair Baker taking the opening mens doubles over Jamie Brown and Travis Toner. The pair then followed up the gritty 8-6 victory, with impressive singles wins.

The Mozzies fought back however, with Brad Booth and Peter Valentine combining to hold of Jarred Epps and Ruebin Ellis, before both went onto to score tight singles wins over their Strath opponents.

In the womens, the Mozzies continued their dominance, with Jessica Hartland and Bronwyn Osborne overpowering a solid Eliza Long and Heather Robbins. Hartland and Long then played out a tough singles battle, with Hartland taking an 8-6 victory.

In the final sets it was again the Mozzies ability to clinch the key points which enabled them to secure their second win.

For the winners the better players included Peter Valentine, Brad Booth and Bronwyn Osborne. Whilst Alistair Bakers stocks continue to rise for Strath as he secured his 3 sets for the day.

Castlemaine 68-5-5 lt Bendigo Lawn 88-7-7

The final match of the premier league round saw Bendigo Lawn travel to the synthetic courts of Castlemaine to take on the home team.

With no 1 man and captain Curt Garwood unavailable due to study commitments, it was perhaps an opportunity for the Maine to secure a surprise victory. However, with a top 2 spot on the cards, Lawn were not about to hand the match to their opponents and in the end came away with a comfortable 7 set to 5, 20 game victory.

Matt Hartland enjoyed a reprieve with Garwoods absence, however, still found it tough going against the older Garwood brother, Ward. Following a tight opening doubles win, Hartland and Burke continued with singles victories, giving the Maine the opening advantage.

Lawn however regrouped with strong doubles and singles wins to Mandy Connors-Butson and Tamara Wright, over the maine girls of Alyssa Cole and Kirby Jefferies. Stephan Butson also fought strongly, scoring a good doubles win with partner Nick Bath, before going onto be too strong for David Carre in the singles.

Come the mixed, the match was evenly poised with the Lawn 5 sets to 4 up. Matt Hartland and Alyssa Cole, evened the score at 5 sets all by taking the opening mixed for the Maine, but with the experience of Nihill and Bath, and Connors Butson and Butson, were able to secure a good team win.

Best players for the winners included Stephan Butson and Mandy Connors-Butson. Whilst Matty Hartland and Shane Burke fought bravely for Castlemaine.

Section 2
BLTC Bronze 2-32 lt Spring Gully Blue 8-75
Spring Gully New China 7-72 df Epsom 3-49
BLTC Green 2-26 lt Spring Gully Sensation 8-76

Section 3
Strath Park Symmetry 4-44 lt BLTC Red 6-56
BLTC Blue 5-61 df BLTC Federer 5-56
BLTC Rafa 4-60 lt BLTC Gold 6-68
 

Round 1 Wrap click here...
Round 2 Wrap click here..
Round 3 Preview click here..
Round 3 Wrap click here..
Round 4 Preview click here..
Round 4 Wrap click here..
Round 5 Preview click here..