KLTC section 2 “just pipped” in close encounter

Their scoreline showed Shepparton 6 sets/62 games defeated KLTC 5 sets / 60 games in what was a game of “tug and war” throughout the afternoon.

Regan More showed why he is one of the competition’s top players with a “clinical” 6/0 against his hard -hitting younger opponent.

Mitch Cox playing in his first singles for the year, played steady tennis to just hold out his opposition winning a tight 6/5 encounter.

In the men’s doubles, Moore and Justin Wearne “hung tough” to record an 8/7 however Wearne and Cox dropped the second men’s doubles 5/8 to a more consistent combination.

Ky’s Section 2 ladies were up against some stiff and very experienced opposition all afternoon.

In the ladies singles, Jade Christou went down 3/6 and Kat Wearne 1/6.

Both girls will take a lot from these matches and will be looking forward to redeeming themselves in the next round.

The ladies doubles went Shepparton’s way with Wearne and Abbey Prycroft and Christou and Prycroft going down to their very stubborn opposition 6/8 in both matches.

With three mixed matches to play, Shepparton was holding on to a tight lead but the combination of More and Christou put Ky back into calculations when they demolished their opponents 8/1.

More’s power game and Christou’s consistent and very deep service games were a highlight.

Cox and Wearne played in a tight encounter getting over the line 8/7.

Wearne’s timing and equally impressive power-hitting complimented Cox’s maturity and court craft.

In the last mixed, Justin Wearne and Abbey Prycroft came up against a very experienced and very consistent combination.

They may not have realised it, but the lady on the other side of the net was Shepparton’s June Simpson.

June has been playing “world veterans” tennis overseas and here in Australia over the last several years and is still a force to reckoned with.

SECTION 3 BOMBERS

The Kyabram Bombers recorded their second win for the season beating Kialla Park 8 sets/74 games to 5 sets/67 games.

The Bombers’ Justine McConnell was definitely the “star attraction” of the afternoon. McConnell, currently semi-retired and filling in for her injured daughter, Meg, showed her opposition why she has been recognised, over the last 30 years, as one of the most talented players to grace the court.

McConnell recorded two 8/1 victories in her ladies doubles as well as an 8/1 in her mixed with young Ben Dickens.

The Bombers ladies won three out of their four doubles matches and certainly helped the team to a well deserved win.

Alicia Cunningham continues to improve every week in her comeback season and played some courageous tennis with team fill-in, Jodie Schumann to come from behind and win their second doubles 8/7!!!!!

The Ky Bombers men will need to recoup before next round being thoroughly defeated four of the five sets they played.

The Kialla men did not give an inch throughout the afternoon with the Bombers Greg Tarrant and Ron Lapworth’s men’s doubles 8/2 win being their only highlight during the day’s play.

Both teams were “neck and neck” before going into the mixed however the Ky Bombers mixed combination placements were very telling, if not match winning.

So effective were their pairings, Ky recorded four mixed victories to give their team a seven-game win.

KLTC SECTION 3 REDBACKS

The Kyabram Redbacks continue to be the dominant team in Section 3 with a comprehensive 9 sets/85 games to Tatura 4 sets/48 games.

Boasting the return of “star” fill in, James Sheppard, the Redbacks doubles and mixed combinations were strengthened decisively.

In the men’s singles, young Blake McMeekin came up against a more aggressive Tatura opponent.

McMeekin has certainly had better days in singles, but Central Umpire is confident he will come back very strongly in the next round and prove that he will be a player to be respected this season.

Young Tyler Shade almost took out his singles only going down 5/6 in an extremely entertaining 2nd mens singles.

Shade’s serving and preparedness to chase was a highlight in not only his singles but all his matches during the afternoon.

Darren Woodcock and the ever-reliable Sheppard took out their men’s doubles in stylish fashion winning 8/4.

What do you say about the Redbacks’ Ladies? Two weeks in a row, they have not dropped a ladies set!!!!

Out of a possible 24 games in the ladies doubles, the Redback Ladies only conceded nine games.

Marg Haw, Sonya McCraw, Susie and Lauren Bennett are shaping up to be the strongest ladies combination in the competition.

A very notable sound out also to the “quiet achiever” in the team, Sonya McCraw. Sonya only conceded three games in three sets throughout the afternoon.

Central Umpire is very confident that this quartet of seasoned performers will create “havoc” for their opposing teams throughout the entire season.

In the mixed, the Redbacks won all four matches with 8/1 wins each to Sheppard and Haw, Woodcock and McCraw and Shade and Susie Bennett.

Not to be outdone, McMeekin and Lauren Bennett took their mixed very comfortably 8/4.