BY Erika Allen
WELLINGTON Gippsland Tennis Association (WGTA) finals loomed closer as Round 14 unfolded over the weekend, treating tennis enthusiasts to a thrilling mix of upsets and closely contested matches.
In Senior Section 1, the clash between Sale Dahlsens and Maffra Community Sports Club (Maffra CSC) was a nail-biter.
Two doubles matches were played in three sets, proving the teams were evenly matched throughout the day.
Despite the challenges posed by the bouncy en tout cas at Stephensen Park, Maffra emerged triumphant.
Sen and Mia Goold showcased their best form against seasoned opponents Tim Dunnett and Jo Rule in a challenging mixed doubles match. The intense contest went the distance, concluding with an 11-9 super tiebreaker in Maffra’s favour.
Sale secured their sole victory of the day in the women’s doubles, where the formidable duo of Kaylene Runciman and Jo Rule proved their partnership was perfect, clinching a triumphant 6-3, 6-4, 10-4 win over Maffra and putting Sale on the scoreboard.
In Senior Section 2, Stratford extended their winning streak against Heyfield, securing a comfortable 6-3 victory.
The dynamic duo of Mark Kennedy and David Auld set the tone for Stratford, narrowly defeating Adam Leenders and Michael Smith in an 8-6 set.
Anna Norris, who is always a consistent and reliable teammate, joined forces with Emma Nowak, prevailing in a hard-fought set against Heyfield’s Cayla Silvester and Leesa Danks.
In Junior Section 1, Bairnsdale is making a name for itself as the giant killers after delivering another shock upset against top-ranked Sale Intersport.
They look like the Section 1 in-form team coming into the finals countdown having also defeated second-placed Maffra last round.
Bairnsdale dominated in singles, losing only one of the four matchups.
Campbell Scott secured a 6-3 victory against Andre Wasserman, while Angus Tanner triumphed over Jay Davies with a 6-1 score. The most resounding win came from Bella Price, who held Intersport’s Sam Crouch to none.
The doubles were a closer call. Price and Tanner teamed up against Intersport’s Crouch and Davies, emerging victorious in a hard-fought match with a scoreline of 7-5. Intersport clinched one of their three sets won of the day in another close doubles match, 7-5.
In Junior Section 2, the highly anticipated clash between table-toppers Sale Dawson Street Food and second-placed Briagolong-Stratford delivered an unexpected upset. Sale succumbed three sets to five.
Briagolong-Stratford, having won only two of their last five matches, faced the challenge of reasserting their dominance and reminding everyone why they are ranked in the top two
But more importantly, this win will renew the team’s confidence heading into the semi-finals in two weeks.
Briagolong-Stratford will play third-ranked Sale Ideal Hearing this coming Saturday.
Round 14 results:
Seniors
Section 1: Maffra CSC 3 def Sale Dahlsens 1, Sale KFC v Maffra Wellington Real Estate (no score supplied), Maffra Gippsland Real Estate – BYE.
Section 2: Stratford 6 def Heyfield 3, Maffra All Round Landscapes 7 def Sale Findex 2, Sale Central Storage 7 def Maffra O’Briens 2, Longford – BYE.
Section 3: Maffra Stobies 7 def Maffra Wilmours 2, Stratford 5 def Briagolong 4, Heyfield-Longford 5 def Sale Glencoe Lime 4.
Juniors
Section 1: Maffra 4 def Sale Sambuilt 4, Bairnsdale 5 def Sale Intersport 3, Sale Khayaam v Longford-Sale (no score supplied).
Section 2: Longford 4 def Maffra 4, Briagolong-Stratford 5 def Sale Dawson Street Food 3, Sale Ideal Hearing – BYE.
Section 3: Bairnsdale Rafters 8 Longford 0, Sale Riviera Signs 8 def Bairnsdale Alcott 0, Maffra 7 def Maffra 1, Heyfield – BYE.
Section 4: Bairnsdale Laver 5 def Maffra 3, Sale Gippsland Mortgage Solutions 8 def Sale John Elliman Real Estate 0, Sale Ashwood Homes 5 def Stratford 3, Sale Phillipsons v Bairnsdale Seven Sundays (no score supplied), Sale WG&M – BYE.
Section 5: Sale Graze Family Bistro 5 def Bairnsdale 1, Sale Gippsland Custom Pools v Sale Highgrove Bathrooms (no score supplied), Briagolong – BYE.
Section 6: Sale Specsavers 6 def Maffra Volleys 0, Heyfield 4 def Maffra Aces 2, Bairnsdale Hewitt 6 def Stratford 0 (via forfeit).
Section 7: Sale Mansi on Raymond 4 def Nambrok 2, Bairnsdale 4 def Longford 1, Maffra – BYE.
