TENNIS action returned to the Limestone Coast over the weekend as the Mount Gambier and District Tennis Association season returned from the Christmas break for Round 11.
With the A1 matches played Friday night, the B1 competition saw ladder leader Moorak Green with an easy win when Centrals Orange forfeited the match.
This sees Moorak Green continue to hold the Suttontown Tigers at bay, despite their convincing 10-set win over Mil Lel on Saturday.
Third-placed Mount Gambier dominated Centrals Grey to win by 10 sets, while a closer match-up was had by the Suttontown Crows, as they accounted for Uniting Church by four sets.
The closest match for the round saw Moorak Gold host West Gambier, with the latter claiming a narrow five-game victory.
West found a solid start in the singles to win four of the six games, losing just one men’s and one women’s clash.
Number one for West Cooper Hodge defeated Moorak’s Ryan Horrigan 6-2, with West’s Emily Jolley also claiming a convincing win as she accounted for Megan Bonham 6-1.
The closest singles games saw Moorak’s Nicole Dicenso with a 7-5 win over Charli Hockey, while it was the same result for West’s Tess Kensley as she defeated Sophie Johnson.
Moorak hit back in the doubles to win four of the six matches, but in the end the damage of the singles was too much, with West finishing five games ahead to secure the points.
Suttontown Tigers proved they belong among the top order of the ladder as they easily took care of Mil Lel on their home courts.
The only victory for the guests on the day saw Marcus Fitzgerald defeat Daniel Smith 6-1.
The remainder of games were won by the Tigers, as they dominated the board in singles and doubles to win with a final score of 11-67 to Mil Lel’s 1-27.
Home club rivals Suttontown Crows also showed they are not to be underestimated, when the sixth-placed side claimed the honours over fifth-placed Uniting Church.
The final margin of four sets was made up in the singles matches, as the Crows won five of the six games.
The closest match-up saw Suttontown’s Vanessa Williamson with a 6-3 win over Alison Clayfield, while the only victory for Uniting Church was Travis Crowe’s 6-2 triumph over Nathan Beck.
It was a more level playing field in the doubles, as both teams won three each, but the damage done in the singles saw Suttontown return home with the points.
The final match of the round saw Mount Gambier welcome Centrals Grey onto its courts.
At the end of the day, the ninth-placed side was no match for its hosts, who sit third on the premiership standings, with Mount Gambier only giving up a single set.
This game saw Centrals’ Sean Harrison claim a 6-4 win over Leighton Hancock, but the remaining matches were won by the hosts with convincing margins.
Jamie Clarke led the way in the number one men’s singles, defeating Nathan Schubert 6-2, while Daryl Ferguson followed suit with a 6-2 win over Mitchell Vanriet.
For the women, Chelsea McKinnon won her match 6-0 against Emma Greenfield.
This was complimented by a 6-1 victories for both Melissa Attiwill and Renae Nicholson.
This week will see Round 12 of competition played, with only five rounds left before finals.
