WELLINGTON Gippsland Tennis Association’s grand final performances did not disappoint spectators on Saturday.
While the week’s some 90 millimetres did nothing for Maffra Lawn Tennis Club’s playing surface, teams rallied to make the most of the playing conditions, producing some outstanding displays.
In the juniors, a draw and two upsets were major highlights of the morning, while all three minor premiers won the flag in the seniors.
DESPITE a rain delay and a few showers throughout the afternoon, all three grand finals were played to their conclusions at Maffra on Saturday.
Section one’s grand final was a battle, coming right down to the mixed to determine the final outcome, with Bairnsdale eventually emerging victorious 59-53.
Just as in the semi-finals, Bairnsdale’s men began strongly, taking the first two sets 8-5 8-4, but Sale’s Cal Board and Sam McGregor played outstanding tennis to overcome Bairnsdale’s Toby Radford and Tom Deller in a tight 8-6.
In the women’s, the result was reversed, with Sale’s Kelly Hudson able to win her two sets by the same margins as the men lost to lift Sale back up, meeting Bairnsdale at 31-all headed into the mixed.
Bairnsdale’s number one man, 23-year-old Daniel Stormon – a former Middle Tennesse State University player – was too strong for Sale, joining Amber Archer to pocket a handy 8-1 win over Regina Virgo and Board and win his three sets for the day.
In the third mixed, Hudson and McGregor chalked up a 8-4 win over Deller and Keryn Scott, bringing it all down to the number one mixed.
In another drama-filled set reminiscent of the heated semi-final a week previous, Bairnsdale’s Toby Radford and Steph Barnett were able to break Sale’s Anthony Zafiris and Jess Board to win 8-5, and secure overall victory for the easterners.
LONGFORD kept its loss record at one for the entire season, defeating Sale Chicken in a comfortable 64-49 in the senior section two grand final.
David Field and Jaclyn Hamilton’s two sets in the men’s and women’s doubles put Longford in an enviable position over Sale headed into the mixed.
While Sale’s Andy Pate and Georgia Roberts put in an admirable mixed performance, defeating Jack Sharp and Abbey Kinnish 8-5, it was all over when Longford’s Peter Chappell and Jaclyn Hamilton returned to the grandstands having handed Sale a less than helpful donut.
Hamilton and Field finished the day as three set winners for Longford.
HEYFIELD reversed its semi-final loss to Briagolong to take home the section three pennant, 62-45.
Cheered across the line by seemingly half the town of Heyfield, who turned up for support, Heyfield’s six sets were too much for Briagolong’s three.
Harry Conway put in a great effort for Briagolong, winning two of his sets, but it was not enough to get his team across the line.
Heyfield’s women put on a clinic to take home all three doubles rubbers, with Raelene Hanratty and Kelly Gray backing up their preliminary final performances as promised, winning three sets each.
THE section one junior flag was taken out by the season’s ladder-leaders, Sale Hawks, who defeated Longford Blue 38-29.
In gripping scenes, section two underdogs Longford Orange overcame the adversity of finishing third on the ladder to beat Sale Falcons by a single game, 32-31.
The section three grand final was sent back out to replay their first sets after finishing with a draw, five points to five, and when they returned it was Longford wearing the smiles, having defeated Briagolong by a single game.
In section four, Briagolong had a great win, defeating Sale Magpies by 13 games, 40-27, to capture the flag.
It was the battle of the macropods in section five’s grand final, with Heyfield Kangaroos defeating Stratford Kangaroos 28-20 to take home the premiership.
In section six, the chipper Stratford Echidnas upset minor premiers Nambrok 35-19 to win the flag.
Section seven was a match of friendly fire, with Sale Sparrows defeating Sale Wrens 34-14.
