Courts heating up
Players were greeted with warm conditions for the first time this season in round five of the Stawell Tennis Club Bendigo Bank Friday Night Competition.
On court, the action also heated up with Stawell Toyota and Carey Covers both enhancing their premiership credentials and finding themselves firmly entrenched in the top two.
Mitre 10 would have liked its chances of causing an upset over leader Stawell Toyota following strong performances in previous weeks, however this was snuffed out early with Blair Hart, Jade Cross and Lewis Reading all leading the charge.
Jonah O’shannessy enjoyed a lift in tempo, stepping up into the number-two role, and despite a sluggish start bounced back to provide valuable support to his skippers.
Big hitting Henry Clough, possessing one of the most lethal backhands in the club, continued his winning ways, as did youngster Tom Monument.
Mitre 10 had solid performers on the night, however failed to threaten Stawell Toyota at any point. Leigh Johnston, participating in her first tennis campaign, played outstanding, never losing confidence despite a lean start to the season and triumphing in all three sets. Holly Graveson, Jordan Austin and Richard Dodds were all heavy contributors, but it wasn’t enough, the final score line reading Stawell Toyota 14-150 d David O’jones Mitre 10 10-128.
Carey Covers narrowly avoided an upset loss, digging deep late in the evening to hold onto a 14-145 to 10-137 victory over Stawell Goldmine.
Malcolm Raggart has been a welcome addition to the club and one of the more consistent players all season. Friday night was no different as he won all his sets and – along with Emily Davis – dragged Carey Covers over the line.
Carel Chang and Larna Graveson continued their rich vein of form in the victory.
Stawell Goldmine’s Fraser Dunn inflicted Hugh Carey’s first loss of the season, while some heavy hitting from Ben Martin, Luke Monaghan and Anna Sullivan saw them the victors in two sets each.
Carey Covers now finds itself eight points clear in second, while Stawell Goldmine continues to try to break its duck. Ladder: Stawell Toyota 82 points, Carey Covers 76, Mitre 10 68, Stawell Goldmine 54.