by Leon Retallick
15th Januaryr, 2011
The return of Bendigo Tennis saw several teams scrambling for players, with many players north of Bendigo being cut off due to the floods. However, all but one of the 18 teams were able to get a full complement of players together to hit the courts.
Spring Gully Brougham Arms 61-5 lt Bendigo Lawn National 82-7
Bendigo Lawn National took the opportunity to move 10 points clear at the top of the table, with a 7 set to 5 win over 2nd placed Spring Gully Brougham Arms. With the Broughie without their no 1 lady, Jessica Hartland, the National took control of the singles sets to set up a strong victory.
The match was not without its share of controversy, with a protest likely to be lodged by the Broughie, after they were forced to forfeit the 4th men’s singles set. Following the late arrival of Pete Valentine, Lawn National captain Curt Garwood (pictured) forced the Broughie to forfeit the set, indicating the agreed start time had been breached. The matter is likely to be investigated by the pennant committee through the week.
The Broughie got off to a strong start, taking two of the opening 3 doubles sets. The real surprise was the ladies doubles, where Lynda Gallager and Bronwyn Osborne combined to upset the highly fancied National pair of Tamara Wright and Mandy Connors-Butson.
the match then moved to the singles, with the National reasserting themselves to take 4 of the six matches available. Wins to Curt Garwood, Sam Storer (by forfeit), Tamara Wright and Mandy Connors-Butson saw the National hold a 5 set to 4 lead at the mixed.
The Broughie men of Jamie Brown and Craig Nolan kept their team in the match, with wins over National opponents Ward Garwood and Nick Bath respectively.
With the Broughie needing to take the final 3 sets of the day to score an unlikely win, it was again National captain Curt Garwood who proved the difference. Garwood combining with Tamara Wright to easily account for the Broughies Andrew Lethlean and Lynda Gallagher in the mixed, giving his side an unassailable games lead.
Best players for the afternoon including Curt Garwood and Sam Storer. Whilst Craig Nolan and Pete Valentine tried hard for the Broughie.
Epsom Butterflies 80-6 df South Bendigo 67-6
The Epsom Butterflies kept the finals race alive, notching up their 2nd win of the year over 4th placed South Bendigo. The win further closes the gap between South in 4th and Spring Gully Bigpond in 5th placed teams to 12 points, with7 rounds to play.
The Epsom team started strongly, taking two of the opening 3 doubles sets to establish an early lead. The pick of the matches was Epsom’s Matt Hartland and Shane Burke close doubles win over South’s Michael Nihill and Simon Kelly. The pair then went on to extend Epsom’s lead with respective singles wins over the the pair.
South hit back to square the match with singles wins to Grant Leader, Frank Ryan and Ashlea Baker. Whilst Jane St Clair had her first singles win for Epsom, defeating Maxine Everitt 8-5 and keeping the Butterflies in front at the mixed.
With South needing to take the last 3 sets, Epsom captain Matt Hartland and Danielle Bowles stepped up in the first mixed, thrashing Simon Kelly and Ash Baker 8-0, quashing any thoughts of a come from behind win.
South took the last two sets of the day, both 8/6, to level the match on sets, but falling 13 games adrift of their lower positioned opponents.
Matt Hartland was the pick of the players for the match, taking his 3 sets. Whilst Grant Leader also performed strongly for South in wining his 3 matches.
Bendigo Lawn Boltons 66-3 lt Spring Gully Bigpond 81-9
Spring Gully Bigpond kept their slim finals hopes alive with a strong 9 set to 3 victory over 3rd placed Bendigo Lawn Bolton’s.
For the Bolton’s team it was just an effort to get a team on the park, with key players Leroy Miller and Michelle Rodwell both late withdrawals from the match due to flood problems, in a team which was already missing Terry Smith, Michael Smyth and Tova Penno.
With replacements found in the shape of Stefan Butson and Carolyn Baker, the match took to the courts, all be it 30 minutes late of the official start time.
Spring Gully Bigpond didn’t have as many worries as their opponents and established the early lead. Jack Baker and Barry Green combined successfully in the doubles, before both went onto record singles wins over Danny Watson and Dean Harris respectively.
The Bigpond furthered their lead with Heather Robbins and Jodie Campbell combining in the ladies doubles, whilst Zac Storer overcame Bolton’s Harry O’meara 12-10 in a close tiebreak to give Bigpond a 5 set to 0 lead.
The Lawn Bolton’s team rallied to make a match of it, with singles wins to Rebecca Tweed and Stefan Butson. However, with Bipond holding 7 sets, the match was effectively over at the mixed.
Bigpond looked to push their advantage in the final sets, with doubles wins to Bakers and Robbins, along with Green and Andrew Freckleton.
Best player for the winners included Jack Baker and Barry Green, both whom won their 3 sets.
Section 2 Round 12
Spring Gully Sensation 75-8 df Spring Gully Rockets 39-2
Epsom McCarthy Homes 70-6 df Epsom DCK 61-4
Phoenix New China 65-7 df Spring Gully Racqueteers 41-3
Spring Gully Spartans 77-9 df BLTC Red 44-1
BLTC Boris 35-1 lt BLTC Stoser 78-9
BLTC Tsonga 37-3 lt BLTC Rafa 69-7