Field leads victory
Grampians Joinery is Stawell Tennis Club’s Friday night competition premier, continuing its second-half season dominance with a see-sawing victory over Farrers Tyrepower in the grand final.
Farrers Tyrepower entered the contest as an underdog, but on the back of a hot start from the likes of smooth moving Brian O’shannessy, consistent Leon Monaghan and the youthful exuberance of Jemima Harney, found itself with a 10-game advantage as the teams broke for tea.
Grampians Joinery was buoyed by the early form of club legends Jade Cross and Shane Field, and, with Madix Perry getting on top of older brother Jamie, there was no need for panic in the team camp.
The all-important second round of rubbers belonged Grampians Joinery, winning four sets to two.
Ben Martin and Shane Field had the net covered on their way to a comfortable victory while in a battle of siblings, Jade Cross eclipsed younger sister Madi in singles.
The match between Holly Graveson and Angie Fudge versus Maddi Rickard and Erin Freeland was a classic, with Graveson and Fudge prevailing in a tie breaker.
Despite winning just two sets for the round, Farrers Tyrepower found itself clinging to a slender six-game lead with just the mixed sets remaining.
Will Mcdermott and Isabella Browne continued their impressive evening for Farrers Tyrepower, winning in a tiebreaker, but from then on it was one-way traffic for Grampians Joinery.
Inspired by a herculean performance from veteran Peter Perry – who strained a calf muscle in the first set and played on, combining with Angie Fudge for a win – Grampians Joinery had its nose in front for the first time when Blair Clayton got the better of Lewis Reading in a singles contest.
Carel Chang and Madix Perry had a comfortable victory and with best player of the grand final Shane Field teaming up with Holly Graveson to put the finishing touches on the victory, it was time to celebrate for Grampians Joinery.
The final score line read Grampians Joinery 14 sets, 153 games, to Farrers Tyrepower 10 sets, 139 games. to