Sunday 27th March, 2011
Spring Gully Brougham Arms has won the right to challenge Bendigo Lawn National for the BTA Premiership, in next weekends premier league Grand Final, following an 8 sets to 3 victory over Bendigo Lawn Boltons on Saturday.
In section 2 Spring Gully Racqueteers caused a huge upset, in taking out their highly fancied club mates Spring Gully Sensation by 8 games. The Racqueteers, who finished the home and away season in 4th place, will now challenge Bendigo Lawn Stoser for the title this coming weekend.
The premier league prelim shaped as a cracker, with both teams in season best form heading into the clash. Boltons had overcome South Bendigo in last weeks elimination final, whist the Broughie had thrown all but the kitchen sink at reigning premiers Lawn National, only to come up short by 4 games.
The Broughie were the team to strike the first blow, with Andrew Letlean and Craig Nolan continuing their strong doubles record in defeating Michael Smyth and Dean Harris 8/3.
The lead was extended with Jamie Brown and Travis Toner proving too strong for Leroy Miller and Terry Smith 8/5 in what is the pair’s most important win to date.
The Broughie’s lead was 3 sets after the doubles, with the ladies combination of Jessica Hartland (pictured) and Lynda Gallagher overcame a tenacious Rebecca Tweed and Michelle Balic.
The match hit the singles, and with plenty of spare courts, the sides took the opportunity to put all singles matches on the court. Again, it was the Broughie who continued their winning form, with Craig Nolan and Andrew Lethlean, proving too strong for Dean Harris and Michael Smyth respectively.
With
the match all but lost, Lawn Bolton’s young gun Leroy Miller (pictured)
fought back with an 8/5 win over Jamie Brown. Terry Smith doubled the Bolton’s
sets score, defeating Travis Toner 8/6 and keeping the match alive.In the ladies singles, Jessica Hartland continued here stella year, easily defeating Michelle Balic 8/2. Whilst Rebecca Tweed ensure the match was alive at the mixed, proving too strong for Lynda Gallagher.
With the Broughie leading 6 sets to 3 at the mixed, the match was all but over. Only one more set would give them a spot in the final.
They wouldn’t have to wait long, with Andrew Lethlean and Lynda Gallagher combining to win 8/3 over Harris and Tweed and ensure victory.
Travis Toner and Craig Nolan capped off the victory, with a tiebreak victory over Leroy Miller and Michael Smyth.
The final mixed set was not played.
Best players for the winners included Craig Nolan and Andrew Lethlean, both whom won 3 sets each.
Section 2:
Spring Gully Racqueteers booked their spot in the Grand Final with an 8 game victory over Spring Gully Sensation. It was tit for tat all day between the sides, with the Racqueteers managing to hold onto their slender lead for a majority of the day.
The Sensaiton team got off to the better start, taking both opening singles matches through Jayden Blencowe and Samara Cooper. They extended the lead, with Paul Henshall and John McMillian taking the mens doubles over Simon Wood and Bruce Carpenter.
The Racqueteers hit back, taking the next two ladies doubles and two mens doubles sets to snatch the lead on games difference at the mixed.
The final two sets of the day split 8/5 each way, giving the Racqueteers the win on games difference.
Best players for the winners included Lynda Miller, Narelle McPhee and Simon Wood, all whom won 2 of their 3 sets.