The Southern Ports Tennis Association fired up its 2022/23 season on Saturday.

The fill-ins were the real MVPs of the round, with many teams short due to netball trips and weddings.

It was a mixed bag of results, with convincing wins to Kingston, Lucindale Cockatoos and Naracoorte, while Lucindale Wombats and Koalas were both successful by one set.

It was a tough start to the season for Beachport, which was unable to find enough players for Round 1, resulting in five sets forfeited to Naracoorte.

Despite the scoreline, it was still a great afternoon for tennis.

The mixed doubles saw a strong start for Naracoorte, which secured three comfortable wins.

For Beachport, Jake Harris, Tim Loveday and Darcy Bateman all scored much-needed sets in the singles, all 6-0 wins.

Match of the day was a tough game between Naracoorte’s Poppy Moyle-Read and Beachport’s Todd Watson.

The game was an even contest the whole way through with plenty of good shots played on both sides.

Moyle-Read scraped home to win 7-5.

Other wins in the singles for Naracoorte went to Steve Biggins, Albert Mann, Kelsie and Michele Moyle-Read, Jen Malone and newcomer Alix Mosey.

The four played doubles were an even split, with the men’s doubles secured by Beachport and the ladies by Naracoorte.

In the last match of the day Nat Chambers and Shae Morrish tried to secure one final set for Beachport over Michele Moyle-Read and Jen Malone, however, they fell just short to go down 7-9.

Naracoorte 17 sets defeated Beachport 7 sets.

The newly formed Lucindale Wombats were excited to make the drive down to Robe for the Round 1 clash against the Roosters.

Both teams were a little undermanned with fill-ins called upon to make up the numbers.

The matches were all played in great spirits with plenty of laughter coming from around the courts.

Scores were level at three sets a piece after the mixed doubles.

This continued through the singles with sets nine-all as the sides headed into the final matches of the day.

Samantha Matthews and Samantha Crocker playing in the number six ladies position were determined to get their monies worth, playing a tight tie-break in the singles which went Crocker’s way backing it up in the ladies doubles which went the way of the Robe Roosters’ outfit.

The Lucindale Wombats were too strong in the finish taking 4 of the last 6 doubles.

Well done to Tom Handbury, Micaela Lock and Sam Crocker all winning their three sets.

A win to the Wombats 13 sets to 11.

It was great to welcome Penola to the grass of Lucindale in its first Southern Ports outing, however the going was a little tough first up against the Lucindale Cockatoos.

Daniel Mackill showed his class at number one for Penola winning his singles as well as the doubles, but it was largely one-way traffic elsewhere.

The Cockies won 10 of the 12 singles matches before Penola pulled a couple back in the doubles.

Conditions were perfect with a large number of locals making their debut in what was a very enjoyable afternoon.

The sun was shining on a beautiful day for round one of tennis at Kingston with the home side defeating Robe Rebels.

Both teams were not at full strength with a wedding and netball trip on the same weekend impacting player numbers, making the a little rusty on-court action which was to be expected.

It was good to see up-and-comer Abby Mules playing at number one lady and pushing Kim Austin to just go down 5-7 in a great match.

A great hustle in the top men’s doubles at the end of the day with Matt and Shaun just getting up over Jack and Tim 10-8.

Another up-and-coming junior Anna Rasheed won all three of her sets at number five in her first time getting a gig in senior tennis.

Fill in Talika Teakle won all three sets only dropping one game between the three for an amazing return to tennis.

Other three-set winners for the day were Matt Menz, Shaun Mules, Steve Edwards, Lou Leidig, Tim Parker and Theressa Mules.

Good result for Kingston with a comfortable win.

What a great day at Frances with good tennis and fantastic weather.

The Lucindale Koalas knew they were in for a tight tussle after playing 15 matches against the Frances/Lucindale Eagles.

They were 8 to 7 up and 60 games all and after a marvellous spread of afternoon tea finally nudged their way ahead, the final scores being Koalas winning 13 sets, 113 games to 11 sets, 116 games.

Koala players to win three sets were Travis Ware, Henry Legoe and Alec Ross and for Frances/Lucindale Monica Van Dyke and Richard Pilmore.

Looking ahead to the second round of Southern Ports tennis, it will be good to see a number of teams return to full strength.

Beachport will play its first game at home against last year’s premiers Robe Roosters.

While the win will likely go the way of the Roosters, the match to watch will be the number one men’s single between Jake Harris and Egan Regnier.

The remainder of the round will also be hard to predict.

But, if you’re eager to watch some tennis you can catch the Lucindale Koalas and Wombats hosting Naracoorte and Kingston at the Lucindale Country Club.

The Cockatoos will travel to Robe to take on the Rebels and Frances will travel to Penola for the Eagles’ first home game of the season.