Bendigo Lawn vs Strath Park Storm @ Lawn Crts 5, 6 & 7
Strath Park Storm will be hoping their grass court experience is enough to get them over the line against the highly fancied Lawn team in round 7 of the Sports Power Premier League.
With Terry Smith and Michael Smyth at helm, the Storm maybe a chance to upset their younger lawn opponents Curt and Ward Garwood. Curt Garwood is still the top ranked player in Premier League despite last weeks singles loss to Corbin Fleming and he will know doubt be keen to reassert his dominance over his opponents this week.
At 3 and 4,the Storm pairing of Danny Watson and James McCarther have been impressive this season, however, may find it far more difficult against Stephan Butson, Michael Nihill and Nick Bath. Butson especially has been a real bonus for the Lawn, having only dropped 1 set thus far this year. His strong victory over Grant Leader last week is a testament that he is perhaps the strongest lower order player in the competition.
In the women's side, Michelle Rodwell and Tova Smith will be hoping her to bring their A game's to the court against the ever reliable Mandy Connors-Butson and partner Cortney Jarman. Rodwell and Smith have been improving with every week, with Connors-Butson on a lawn court likely to be their toughest task yet.
On paper the Lawn look to be the stronger team, however, if experience counts for anything then Storm are a genuine chance. If the Storm men can pick up a cheap singles or doubles, they might be a show at the mixed.
Verdict: Lawn 7 sets to 5.
Strath Park vs Castlemaine @ Lawn Crts 2, 3, & 4
Strath Park and Castlemaine's round 7 clash may well be the battle for the wooden spoon. With both teams anchored on just one win from 6 matches and 15 points out of the top 4, a win is a must for both if they are to salvage their 08/09 seasons.
Matt Hartland and Shane Burke take strong form into the match, both having scored singles victories and combining for a solid doubles performance last week. They will look to continue there run against Strath's Jack Baker and Jarred Epps. With Alistair Baker and Leon Retallick absentees for Strath this week, Epps will need to step up to the number two position to keep his team competitive.
In the women's, Paige Ipsem will again join Heather Robbins replacing the absent Eliza Long. Ipsem has impressed many premier league teams this year and should again provide Strath with a solid service. Her likely battle with Castlemaine's Jessie Culpit will contest two of the regions best young female players. Ipsem's solid serve and consistent ground strokes maybe enough to secure a win on the lawn.
With several key players absent Strath Park may find it hard to fill the void. Hartland and Burke, have been in good form this year and with support from Dean Harris, Robert Jefferies or David Carre may have enough grunt to get their team over the line.
Verdict: Castlemaine 7 sets to 5
South Bendigo vs Spring Gully Mozzies @ Lawn Crts 8, 9 & 10
Top side South Bendigo will be looking to put last weeks loss behind them as they take on the fourth placed Mozzies. Souths big guns Corbin Fleming and Aiden Fitzgerald will be keen to hit the grass courts, with their combination of big serve and crisp vollies likely to cause the Mozzies all sorts of trouble.
Jamie Brown will find the going extremely difficult which ever South opponent he takes and can only hope his big hitting opponents miss fire on the day. Lower in the mens order Frank Ryan, Grant Leader and Simon Kelly will have keenly contested battles against the Mozzies men of Brad Booth, Steven Rogers and Peter Valentine.
Unfortunately, this match won't see the anticipated battle between Jessica Hartland and Ashlea Baker. Baker is unavailable for the clash leaving regular no 2 Maxine Everitt with the unenviable task of taking Hartland on her preferred lawn surface. With sister Bronwyn Osborne, the current no 2 ranked player in premier league on side, the Mozzies combination should have far to much firepower for the Bakerless South.
With the omisions this will be a closer match than many might anticipate. South should have the answers in the men, but the Mozzies will dominate the women. It will again come down to the all important mixed.
Verdict: Mozzies 7 sets to 5 in an upset.
Sports Power Senior Pennant 2008/09
Section 2 Round 7
Spring Gully Sensation vs BLTC Bronze @ CCC 14 & 15
Spring Gully Blue vs Epsom @ CCC 16 & 17
Spring Gully New China vs BLTC Green @ CCC 12 & 13
Section 3 Round 7
BLTC Red vs BLTC Blue @ CCC 21 & 22
BLTC Federer vs BLTC Gold @ CCC 23 & 24
BLTC Rafa vs Strath Park Symmetry @ CCC 18 & 19
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