Easing into match play

Horsham Lawn and St Michaels were the stars of the first week back for Central Wimmera Tennis Association pennant competition, as the only teams to take the court on Saturday.

Kalkee forfeited to Central Park and Drung South had a bye.

Central Park, now sitting at the top of the ladder, will have another week off on Saturday with a bye.

Drung South will come out on fresh legs against a determined St Michaels team and Horsham Lawn will face Kalkee.

Drung South and St Michaels will need to win to keep their hopes of a top-four berth alive.

Horsham Lawn’s Cherie Wood won all three sets with two convincing wins across her singles and doubles with Gemma Walker.

Ian Nitschke played well for St Michaels winning all his sets but it was not enough to offset Horsham Lawn, who finished the day two sets in front.

Four rounds remain before finals and Kalkee, Central Park and Horsham Lawn will continue to fight hard for the top spot to ensure a double chance heading into the semi-finals.

Only one game separates Central Park from the two teams and it looks like it will come down to the wire in the final weeks of competition as to who will finish on top.

There were some large margins across A Special results, with Brimpaen, Homers and Horsham Lawn Dorman coming away with convincing wins.

Brooke Taylor played well for Haven, however the wins by Brimpaen’s Luke Dunn, Peter Brennan, Alex Dunn and Archie Sudholz had the team sailing towards a victory.

Central Park was no match for Horsham Lawn Dorman who was consistent across the day.

There were three tiebreakers across the round, but Shane Gillespie and Daniel Taylor could not be broken in singles or doubles action.

Homers defeated Kalkee comfortably, with Homers’ Josie Kerr and Tammy Taylor having their work cut out for them in the closest set of the day against Meaghan Pohlner and Trudi Schmidt.

Horsham Lawn Thompson defeated Drung South by four sets and Telangatuk East defeated Natimuk, 9-5.

With seven teams still in the contest for finals it will be a tough run to the end of the season to make it into the top four.

Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER EYES ON THE BALL: Horsham Lawn Dorman’s Lucy Dewit lines up a return against Central Park on Saturday during A Special competition. Dewit won her doubles sets, 8-1, 8-7 and lost one set 8-5 in singles.

SERVE: Above, Central Park’s Ross Mcintyre sets up a serve to his Horsham Lawn Dorman opponent in A Special round 12 action. Mcintyre won two of his three sets, 8-4 and 8-6.