Beachport were the top performers in Round 4 of the SPTA season.
Travelling to Robe, the Pirates showed a dominant display against Robe Roosters, only dropping three sets for the day.
This win moved them into third position on the ladder.
Naracoorte was delivered a tough blow by Lucindale Koalas who were happy to get their first win on the board.
Also out at Lucindale, Frances-Lucindale Eagles showed they were too strong for the Wombats.
Away from the grass, Kingston travelled to Penola where a familiar face made an appearance.
Taking on her old team, Emily Warner donned the blue as Penola’s top lady.
Robe Roosters 3-69 defeated by Beachport 21-153
The Robe Roosters hosted the Beachport Pirates in once again some tricky conditions.
The wind could not make up its mind whether it was coming or going, meaning it was a completely different ball game from one end of the court to the other.
The close of the mixed doubles saw the Pirates take an early lead 5-1 with Pete Obst and Leanne Cameron taking Robe’s only win over Jake Harris and Shae Morrish 6-2.
Tim Loveday (pictured left) and Emma Chambers started their day of three set wins over James Kokiousis and Alana Domaschenz 6-1.
The singles matches followed a similar trajectory with Beachport taking 11 of the possible 12 sets.
Paul Rains put together a captain’s performance on show court to beat Noah Lang 6-4.
Lucy Corman was consistent across the day, beating Tracey Bainger in their singles match 6-2.
Craypots out of the water meant Nick Clifford could kick off his 2023/24 tennis campaign, taking home three wins for the day against Antony Kokiousis.
Katie-ann Agnew and Samantha Matthews only managed to take two games from Nat Chambers and Tamara Sutherland in the 5/6 women’s doubles.
The match of the day once again involved a well-oiled duo in Paul Rains and Pete Obst conceding only five games to Noah Lang and Jake Harris.
The day closed at 21 sets to 3 in Beachport’s favour with no three set winners from Robe and too many to mention from Beachport.
Lucindale Koalas 19-145 defeated Naracoorte – 5-100
The Koalas hosted Naracoorte and got off to a flying start taking all six mixed double matches.
The match between the number 3s Koalas’ Sherwin and McCarthy getting over Naracoorte’s Blacker and Moyle-Read going to a tie-breaker showing some fantastic tennis.
The Koalas’ strength continued into the singles, with some high quality matches on display for spectators.
Koalas’ Sherwin and Naracoorte’s Blacker had the men’s singles match of the day again going to a tie-break with Sherwin getting on top.
The match between Koalas’ Boyington and Naracoorte’s Birchard was a great game between two beginner tennis players with both showing determination and persistence, with Birchard winning in a tie break.
In the doubles there were some evenly contested matches with the top women’s match one of a high standard with Koalas’ Graetz and Weaver winning 10-8 over Naracoorte’s P Moyle-Read and K Moyle-Read.
There was a host of three match winners for the Koalas to help them get their first win on the board for the season.
Lucindale Wombats 8-108 defeated by Frances/Lucindale Eagles 16-141
Well done to the Eagles for being too strong on the day.
Warmer weather is great, now just for the winds to go.
There were some hard-fought games and great rallies but the Eagles were just too strong on the day.
In Round 5 we’re expecting to see some more dominating performances across the board.
Beachport will be seeking another walk-over when they take on Penola at home, firming themselves as top contenders.
The Wombats will be looking to get another win on the board against the Robe Roosters after two losses.
Naracoorte will travel to take on top team Kingston in what will surely be some great matches.
Keep an eye on the top ladies singles between Poppy Moyle-Read and Bianca Cunneen.
Finally, the Robe Rebels, coming off the bye, will host the Lucindale Koalas.
The Koalas will be running on a high after defeating Naracoorte, and with a strong men’s order for both sides, this is certainly set to be match of the round.
Penola 7-70 defeated by Kingston 17-131
Kingston made the drive down to Penola for a wonderful Saturday afternoon of tennis.
Penola put together a very competitive side against Kingston.
They managed to score themselves a handy recruit in Emily Warner – playing against her home side Kingston (which she will only get away with this time).
Some great depth in the sides overall made for some great games.
Mixed doubles went the way of Kingston, Penola’s Tom Pearce and Caroline McGrath combining well to take Penola’s only mixed win 6-4 against Kingston’s Michael Dugan and Stacey Lehmann.
Tom Pearce again backed it up in the singles being the sole men’s winner for Penola, a great game against Kingston’s new recruit Michael Dugan, both players hitting some impressive winners.
Michael unfortunately ended up with some nasty blisters which saw his day finish early.
Penola had some great depth in the women’s side they put out, winning three out of six women’s singles.
Stacey Lehmann and Caroline McGrath had an epic game, each point a rally and it went down to the wire, Stacey winning 7-5.
There were a few clean sweeps in the men’s and women’s doubles, one forfeit in the top men’s double and Kingston finished the day winning 17 sets to Penola 7.
It was an entertaining match watching father/son duo of James and Kym Lehmann, taking the win 9-0 against Penola’s Manyy Singh and Tom During.
Three set winners for Penola were Tom Pearce and for Kingston Bianca Cunneen, Neville Hines, Lou Leidig, James Lehmann, Kym Lehmann and Katie Rasheed.
