by Leon Retallick
Bendigo Lawn National 74-6 lt Bendigo Lawn Boltons 76-6
Bendigo Lawn National captain Curt Garwood (pictured) is one step closer to representing Bendigo in the upcoming William Loud Bendigo International, following a tight 3 set win over young gun Leroy Miller in Saturday's Premier League action. However, the win wasn't enough for the National to take the day, as the reigning premiers went down by 2 games.
Garwood, Miller and South Bendigo?s Corbin Fleming are the three players who will contest a playoff in the coming weeks of premier league. Miller will now face Fleming next Saturday, with Fleming then taking on Garwood on Thursday 18th November.
Bendigo Lawn National started the better of the two teams, with Curt Garwood and Alistair Baker opening with a solid 8-2 win over Miller and the experienced Terry Smith. Whilst in the ladies Tamara Wright and Mandy Connors-Butson combined to overcome Tova Penno and Rebecca Tweed.
The first win for Lawn Bolton's came through Michael Smyth and Danny Watson, who combined to outpoint Nick Bath and Tom Metheral.
The singles sets were as tight as the doubles, with Garwood, Connors-Butson and Metheral scoring wins. Whilst wins to Terry Smith, Michael Smyth and Rebecca Tweed, ensured the match was tied up going into the mixed.
Curt Garwood continued his unbeaten season in the mixed, partnering Tamara Wright to overcome Smith and Tweed 8-3, giving the regining premiers a 2 set buffer.
However, with the second mixed going the way of Bolton's through Penno and Smyth, and a last set victory to Miller and Watson, the underdogs had snatched a 2 game victory.
Best players for the match included Curt Garwood for the National and Michael Smyth for Bolton's.
Epsom Butterflies 61-5 lt Spring Gully Bigpond 79-7
Spring Gully Bigpond got their season underway, for a maiden win against the Epsom Butterflies. The butterflies have now slipped 9 points adrift of their 5th placed opponents and are now in danger of wrapping up the wooden spoon at Christmas.
With the match played out of order, Eliza Long got her team off to an early flier, proving too strong for Danielle Bowles 8-1. She then combined successfully with partner Heather Robbins, to defeat Bowles and Jayne St. Clair, giving the Bigpond a early lead.
Epsom hit back in the men?s doubles, with Matt Hartland and Jono Guy proving too good for Jack Baker and Barry Green. Whilst at 3 and 4, Matt Conroy and James McArthur teamed up for Epsom to overcome Zac Storer and Fraser McCarthy in a tiebreaker.
Heather Robbins pushed Bigpond ahead again, recording a singles win over St Clair, and with follow up wins to Jack Baker, Barry Green and Fraser McCarthy, saw the Bigpond take a 3 set advantage into the mixed.
The Butterflies fought back, with 2 solid mixed wins to Hartland and Bowles in a tiebreaker over Baker and Long, whilst Conroy and St Clair were too good for McCarthy and Robbins.
However, a final men's doubles win to Barry Green and Zac Storer gave the Bigpond side a 2 set break and maiden win
South Bendigo 71-4 lt Spring Gully Brougham Arms 94-8
Spring Gully Brougham Arms kept themselves in touch with the top 2 teams, with a solid 8 set to 4 victory over South Bendigo.
South started promisingly, taking the early advantage with doubles wins to Pat McMillan and Frank Ryan over Craig Nolan and Travis Toner 9-7. Whilst, Grant Leader and new south recruit Michael Nhill, proved too strong for Andrew Lethlean and Jack Milgate.
The Broughie hit back, with Jessica Hartland and Lynda Gallagher, proving too strong for Ashlea Baker and Maxine Everitt.
The match hit the singles, and the Broughie moved up a gear, taking 5 of the six singles sets available. The sole winner for South was Michael "Tiger" Nhill who has joined the team in a mid season trade from Epsom.
The highlight of the singles matches was the high standard battle between Jessica Hartland and Ashlea Baker. Baker, who has returned to Bendigo Tennis following a stint on the US College circuit, found the consistency and all court game of Hartland to strong, with the Broughie captain win 8-2.
With the Broughie holding a solid advantage at the mixed, final set wins to Hartland and Toner in the mixed, whilst Lethlean and Nolan snatched a tiebreak to give the Broughie a 4 set win.
Section 2 Round 5
Spring Gully Sensation 81-10 df BLTC Boris 34-0
BLTC Tsonga 42-4 lt Spring Gully Spartans 68-6
BLTC Rafa 72-7 df Phoenix New China 57-3
BLTC Stoser 75-8 df Epsom Scorpions 49-2
BLTC Red 34-1 lt Spring Gully Rockets 80-9
Spring Gully Racqueteers 64-5 df Epsom Dragons 61-5