Strong start in Stawell tennis

Stawell Tennis Club’s Friday night competition kicked off with a bang, with an increase in numbers and six teams now competing.

The opening round featured three thrilling contests, including one result being decided by the barest of margins.

Delahunty Plumbing and Frewstal battled out an old-fashioned slugfest with the victor only determined in the final set.

Will Mcdermott was the hero, fighting off a brave Luke Monaghan 7-5 to give Delahunty Plumbing the win by a solitary game. Delahunty Plumbing’s Shane Field recaptured his form of yesteryear, winning all three sets.

He was strongly supported by Lewis Reading, making the step up from juniors this season, and also claiming all three sets.

Angie Fudge and Hayley Reading tried valiantly to get Frewstal over the line, ultimately falling agonisingly short, 11 sets 84 games to 7-83.

A Stawell Gold Mine and David O Jones Mitre 10 clash went to the wire, with just two games separating the teams at the end of the night. Mitre 10 was triumphant, despite winning two fewer sets than its opposition.

Joe Dunn had a night to remember and was the catalyst behind the victory, winning all sets and teaming with Elise Monaghan to record a huge 6-1 mixed-doubles win and tip the scales in Mitre 10’s favour. Maddi Rickard was outstanding for Stawell Gold Mine. The final scoreline was 8-75 to 10-73.

Stawell Toyota sits atop the ladder after a workmanlike victory over Grampians Joinery.

Stawell Toyota had solid contributors, including Simone Grace, Kim Hutton and Katrina Adams in the 16-game win.

Grampians Joinery veteran Howard Dunn was at his sublime best in the loss, but Stawell Toyota’s evenness across the board was reflected in the score line, 11-90 to 7-74.