Tennis

Yarrawonga’s team consisting of Amy Lairson, Ellen Bruce, Gert Brunner, Angela Mitchell, Sandra Banks, Kura Fraser, Christine Carr and Anna Castles finished on top of their C1 pool.

After a 3-1 victory over Bacchus Marsh in the semi-final they met Loddon Valley in the final. After a narrow 6/8 loss Ellen Bruce and Chris Carr bounced back to defeat their next opponents 8/1.

This win coupled with Amy Lairson and Sandra Banks smashing their opponents 8/0 meant they were victorious. A great result for a fantastic group of friends.

Yarrawonga’s second ladies’ team consisting of Jan Knights, Helen White, Pohoikura Fraser, Lorraine Dean, Win Win Htwe, Barb Phibbs and Jenelle Bennett competed in the C4 division.

After the round robin matches the team finished in fourth position. This meant a semi-final with ladder leader Wodonga where after a gallant battle, Yarrawonga were eventually defeated 3 matches to 1. A very solid performance by this team.

Yarrawonga also had three men joining Wangaratta’s team.

Grant Chappell played in the very strong A Division where his team finished sixth. Mike Lairson played in the B1 Division where he enjoyed some good tennis. John Brunner played in the Special B2 Division and his team had a great week finishing on top of their pool before going down 3 matches to 0 in the final.

Congratulations to all representatives. By all reports it was a great week, both on and off the court.

Easter entries full

The popularity of the Yarrawonga Easter Tournament was again evident with entries reaching capacity last week.

This year entries will be capped at around 1200 entries and this was achieved in record time. Tournament Director Jo McCarthy has been kept very busy and the tournament will once again be a great event.

Saturday morning juniors

Another beautiful morning greeted the juniors. Again, there were kids everywhere and each have improved immensely this season. The Hot Shot players are hitting some ferocious forehands and many of the ball feeders are living in fear as they dodge the balls.

The coaching group is beginning to have extensive rallies and parents are encouraged to put their child’s name up for matches if they believe they are at that level.

The Junior Club Championships commenced with the boys and girls competing in the 10/U, 12/U, 14/U and 16/U divisions. Each player had the opportunity to play 2 divisions so they all had plenty of tennis.

Most divisions reached the semi-final stage, and all divisions will be completed this week. Good luck to all that have reached the last four in their division as this is a great effort.

Wilby District Association

The second last round of the Wilby Tennis Association was played over the weekend. The ladder is very tight with six of the eight teams vying for the top four positions that will constitute the A Grade finals.

Those sides that miss the A Grade will still get finals experience as they will participate in the B Grade finals.

On Friday night Tungamah Gold hosted Mulwala Gold. Mulwala finally were able to get a full-strength side on the court and certainly appeared they are going to be a finals danger.

In the men’s Mulwala won 4 sets to 2 with Tom Flanagan best on court with 3 wins and he was ably supported by Cam Carling and Matt O’Kane. For Tungamah, Liam Williams won 2 sets.

In the ladies Mulwala won 5 sets to 1 with Lucy Bassett and Sandra O’Kaine winning all of their matches and Jess Linehan and Beth Robinson having 2 wins.

The mixed was split 2 sets all with Mulwala winning by a single game. Mulwala Gold taking the points 8 to 0.

Mulwala Maroon hosted Wilby and everyone had an enjoyable night. Wilby proved too strong in the mens section winning all 6 sets with Anthony Hammond, Craig Prescott, Des O’Kaine and Fraser Smart each playing very well.

It was a reversal in the ladies section with Mulwala winning 5 sets to 1. For Mulwala Vanessa Norman and Sheryl McBurnie were undefeated and Kerryn Lyons and Monica Leith both won 2 sets. Wilby bounced back to win the mixed section 3 sets to 1 with the mother/ son combination of Monica and Maiko Leith winning the lone set for Mulwala. Wilby the victors 6 points to 2.

Tungamah Green made the long journey to Savernake on Saturday afternoon. It was terrific to see Tungamah taking their entire squad of adults and kids on a bus trip. A great adventure for all.

On the court Tungamah won the mens section 4 sets to 1 with perennial number 2 Tom Wren the player of the day winning 3 sets. Luke Buerckner and Will Cooper with 2 apiece also played well. For Savernake Aaron Munn won 2 sets.

There was the exact same 4 sets to 2 scoreline in the ladies with Tungamah’s Renee Wren winning all of her sets and Jenny and Kylie Buerckner having 2 victories. Stacey Arnold won 2 sets for Savernake. Tungamah finished strongly in the mixed to win all 4 sets. Tungamah winners 8 points to 0.

Last year’s Grand Finalists Burramine and Savernake battled it out in the Saturday twilight match. Burramine won the men’s section 4 sets to 2 with Jason Bassett winning each of his games and John Wright and Mike Lairson having a pair of wins. Skipper Andrew Banks was best for Savernake with 2 wins.

The scoreline was reversed in the ladies with Savernake winning 4 sets to 2. Gert Brunner carried over her Country Week form to be undefeated whilst Angela Mitchell and Chris Hawkins wone 2 sets.

The mixed was very close with Burramine winning 3 sets to 1. Overall Burramine on points 6 to 2.

Entering the final round the ladder is Telford 50, Tungamah Green 46, Wilby 42, Burramine 38, Tungamah Gold 36, Savernake 30, Mulwala Gold 23, Mulwala Maroon 21.

Thursday night ladies

With the exodus of ladies westward along the Murray Valley Highway to Swan Hill a general bye was called in the Thursday Ladies Competition. This competition will resume this Thursday.

Wednesday fast four

Following Tennis Australia’s heat policy guidelines, the Wednesday Fast Four was cancelled last week. It was simply too hot. This week will be the finale of this competition.

With the courts in great condition, the bar well stocked and some lucky door prizes on offer a great final week is guaranteed.

Tuesday night mens

In very oppressive conditions, Yarrawonga’s finest athletes battled it out last Tuesday night. The competition continues to be intense, but this offset by a lot of banter in between points.

Korda was a little strong for Nadal with 5 sets to 1 win. Korda finally had their regular team on the court and indicated they might influence the composition of the finals.

Best for Korda were Jack Bassett and Troy Seddon with 3 wins and they were backed up by Tim O’Dwyer and Jason Partelle with 2 wins. For Nadal Tom Loughnan and Andrew Brew won the final set of the night.

Safin flexed their muscle with a 6 sets to 0 demolition of Johansson. Grant Lewis, Matt McLachlan, Brad Mouat and James Loughnan were all on fire hitting winners at will. Well done to the Johnansson squad who battled hard all night.

Wawrinka had a 5 sets to 1 win over Sampras. After Andrew Beggs and Nev Page won the first match of the night for Sampras, Wawrinka took charge. Andrew Banks and Trent Head were clinical in winning all of their matches and Tom McKimmie and Clifford Nyugen also played well to win 2 each.

Djokovic won 6 sets to 0 against Courier. Courier were a little unlucky not to clinch a victory losing one match 7/6 and another 7/5. Having said that near enough isn’t good enough and the Djokovic squad of Daryl Bennett, Lee Fraser, Pat Mansfield and Corey Beggs look like genuine premiership contenders.

Lendl had a 4 to 2 sets win over Wilander. Lendl’s Wei Wong was in great form claiming 3 wins whilst teammates Ben Cope and Jason Bassett had 2 wins each. For Wilander Michael Mills had two 7/5 wins indicating his coolness under pressure.

Due to a late minute withdrawal Federer and Becker were a man down. As a result, they had a hit amongst themselves.

The ladder is incredibly close at the top. Djokovic 63, Lendl 63, Agassi 63, Wilander 52, Wawrinka 52, Safin 49, Korda 48, Federer 46, Sampras 44, Nadal 44, Johansson 31, Courier 28, Becker 22.

Goulburn Murray Association

Yarrawonga’s representatives for neighbouring town Numurkah had some strong performances on Saturday.

In Division 1, Jack Bassett won all three of his matches. His team had a solid win to all but ensure a top four position. In Division 2, Lucy Bassett won 2 out of 3 matches and Liam Williams 1 out of 3 games to help their team to a 13 game win and now looking to a top 2 finish.

On Sunday Lucy Bassett and Jack Bassett competed in the Numurkah Club Championships.

Against some quality opposition both played very well to finish runners up. Numurkah’s ongoing support to ensure Yarrawonga’s players can play at a stronger level is appreciated.