Wirrim solidified its position at the top of the ladder in Round 8 of the North Central Lawn Tennis Association, securing all ten points against Wycheproof.
Meanwhile, Nullawil climbed to fourth place with a close victory over Birchip.
Wirrim v. Wycheproof
Play commenced early at 9:30 a.m. to avoid the heat, though cooler conditions prevailed in the afternoon. Wirrim continued its strong form on Saturday, winning all but two matches against Wycheproof.
Men’s
Claiming all four matches, Wirrim’s men, comprising Russell Christie, Chris Lee, Lucas McInerney and Des Coffey delivered a clean sweep over Wycheproof. Russell and Chris defeated Wycheproof’s top pairing of Mary-Anne Pollard and Jake Bish 8-6, while Russell and Lucas achieved an 8-0 victory against Mary-Anne and Mitchell Coatsworth. Chris and Des defeated Jake and Marcia Pollington 8-7, seeing Wirrim claim the section 32-17 games.
Women’s
Wirrim’s Fiona Best and Steph Coffey secured an 8-5 win over Wendy Pollard and Matilda Bish, while Priya Coatsworth and Sarah Botheras were victorious in a tiebreak against sisters Tylah and Beau Haslam, to secure one of Wycheproof’s two wins of the day. Wirrim quickly regained momentum, claiming 8-5 and 8-3 wins to take the section 31-21 games.
Mixed
Wirrim’s strength in the mixed saw it claim the section 29-18 games, winning the day with a total of 92-56 games. Russell and Fiona got off to a strong start defeating Mary-Anne and Wendy Pollard 8-6, whilst father-daughter duo Jake and Matilda Bish recorded an 8-5 win against Wirrim’s Chris and Tylah. Des and Steph, along with Lucas and Beau both recorded 8-2 wins in their matches to continue Wirrim’s formidable form and claim all ten points.
Three set winners for Wirrim: Russell Christie, Lucas McInerney, Des Coffey, Fiona Best, Steph Coffey.
Birchip v. Nullawil
As always, Nullawil presented a strong team list, claiming victories across the men’s and women’s sections to secure eight of the ten points on offer.
Men’s
Nullawil’s top men – David Watts, Simone Fawcett and Tony Bartram – were in classy form, securing 8-2, 8-0, 8-6 wins. The top pairing of David and Simone delivered an 8-2 victory over Birchip’s Josh Hamilton and De Ferrier, while David and Tony secured a dominant 8-0 win against Josh and Ben Samuel.
In the lower section, Birchip’s Blake Lee and James Goldsmith defeated Ella and Tessa Sheahan 8-5, followed by an 8-2 victory to Blake and Asha Lee against Ella and Dane Bartram. James and Asha capped the section with an 8-4 victory over Tessa and Dane, and despite Birchip’s surge in the lower section, Nullawil narrowly claimed the men’s section 35-32 games.
Women’s
Nullawil’s women dominated play, winning all six matches across the section. Melissa Gilchrist and Jessie Fawcett opened with an 8-4 victory over Julie Coffey and Jo Lee, while Melissa defeated Julie and Stacey Hamilton 8-5, paired with Di Sheahan. Jessie and Di were victorious in a tiebreak over Jo and Stacey.
Continuing their fine form in the lower section, Nullawil’s Lana Fawcett, Marg Pollington, Marcia Pollington and Gail Smith secured victories in their matches 8-5, 8-2, 8-4. Nullawil claimed a further two points, winning the section with a total of 48-27 games.
Mixed
Strong pairings for Birchip in the mixed saw the home team claim two points for their day. A strong 8-3 victory to Birchip’s Josh Hamilton and Julie Coffey against David Watts and Jessie Fawcett, and an 8-5 victory to De Ferrier and Kelly Haslam assisted Birchip’s win. Nullawil’s pairings of Tony Bartram and Di Sheahan, and Ella Sheahan and Marg Pollington secured Nullawil’s two wins in the section, 8-5 and 8-7. An 8-5 victory to Blake Lee and Zoya Niall and Asha Lee and Bec Botheras, victorious in a tiebreak, saw Birchip round out the section with a total of 44-36 games.
Nullawil triumphed overall, winning the day 119-103 games, to move from fifth to fourth ladder position.
Three set winners for Nullawil: Tony Bartram, Di Sheahan, Marg Pollington.
For Birchip: Blake Lee, Asha Lee.
Tomorrow, Donald hosts Birchip while Wirrim heads to Nullawil in what promises to be a day of close competition.
See all the pictures in the issue.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 29 November 2024.
