Kingston narrowly defeated Naracoorte by only five games in Round 5 of the Southern Ports Tennis Association season.
In what was set to be the match of the round, Naracoorte and Kingston did not disappoint with some highly impressive tennis across all matches.
As predicted, the top ladies singles was one to watch, with Bianca Lawrie taking the set against Poppy Moyle-Read.
Around the grounds there were some other tight matches.
In Millicent, the Robe Roosters found their first win of the season over the Pirates, and Penola Rangers got the best of the Lucindale Wombats on the grass.
Naracoorte Aces 12-114 lt Kingston Crays 12-119
A cold start turned into a beautiful afternoon for tennis at Naracoorte.
The first matches set the trend for the day with the sets being split even between teams.
Against his old team, fill-in George White was off to a flying staff with Bianca Lawrie. The pair defeating S. Malone/P. Moyle-Read, 6-0.
Their teammates J. Lehmann/K. Copping followed suit with another 6-0 win.
Naracoorte’s experience worked in their favour on court 3 where W. Malone/M. Moyle-Read defeated W. Edwards/J. Mules, 6-4.
Both of the top singles were thrilling matches for spectators.
Sid Malone and George White displayed hard-hitting tennis worthy of the pro circuit, Malone winning the set 6-3.
On the next court, Poppy Moyle-Read and Bianca Lawrie also battled it out, Lawrie winning 6-3.
At the bottom of the order Tim Parker found Kingston another 6-0 set, James Lehmann, Kait Copping and Nicola Crane each also winning crucial sets.
Heading into the doubles, Kingston lead 10 sets to eight.
They quickly found their 11th and 12th sets in the bottom two doubles, requiring Naracoorte to win all remaining sets for a chance at the points.
It was looking promising as Naracoorte won both top doubles, leaving the day in the hands of the middle doubles.
In triumphant form, leaving the day on a cliff-hanger, Naracoorte’s pairs delivered with 9-4 and 9-1 victories.
However, after conceding a few too many games early in the day, it was too little too late, the Kingston Crays would take the match by only five games.
Three set winners included Daniel Menzel, Kelsie Moyle-Read, Steve Biggins and Lucy Midwinter (Naracoorte), James Lehmann, Tim Parker, Kait Copping and Nicola Crane (Kingston).
Beachport Pirates 11-106 lt Robe Roosters 13-123
For the first time both Beachport teams played together at Millicent against Robe and Lucindale with a fantastic atmosphere.
The Pirates faced the Roosters in a thrilling set by set game with Robe sneaking the win with 13 sets to 11.
The Roosters got their first win for the year with their first almost full team all season.
The sets were all so close throughout the day.
The numbers 3s were in fighting form with Lewis Ling defeating Todd Watson 6-4 and Tracy Bainger defeating Kate Fitz in two great matches to watch.
Heading into the doubles the Roosters led the Pirates 10 sets to eight with all tightly contested matches at three sets each helping the Roosters to come out on top.
Three set winners were Rachelle Russell and Brodie Foulds for the Roosters and Cade Kelly, Ryan Bateman and Emma Regler for the Pirates.
Beachport Buccaneers 19-153 d Lucindale Koalas 5-92
The Millicent tennis courts were the place to be on Saturday when both Beachport teams played together for the very first time and hosted Robe and Lucindale.
The courts were filled with 48 players, spectators and about 35 kids having the best afternoon riding, scooting and chalk drawing … who I think all would have slept very well that night.
The courts were in mint condition with the lines just being completed on Tuesday and play started at midday to accommodate only having three courts each.
The Beachport Buccaneers hosted Lucindale Koalas with Buccaneers starting the day strong winning five out of the six mixed doubles, which set the scene for the day with the Buccaneers only dropping five sets for the day.
Some great matches were had despite the score line with Beachport’s Maddie Redman going down in a great 7-5 tussle to Lucindale’s Tash Wilkin, as well as the top men providing some entertainment with Lucindale’s Sam Sherwin and Rowan Wilkin snatching another 10-8 set to add to their score over Noah Lang and Tim Loveday.
The bottom double also provided plenty of entertainment but this time Beachport took another set with Joey Chambers and Tom Pegler winning 10-8 over Manny Singh and Kevin Ngo.
Three set winners for the Buccaneers were Melissa McGrath, Shae Morrish, Tim and Ali Mclelland, Ellen Clark and Nat Chambers, while there were no three set winners for the Koalas.
Thanks to Lucindale Koalas and Robe Roosters for a very enjoyable day.
Lucindale Wombats 11-116 lt Penola Rangers 13-130
It was a close fought contest between Penola and Lucindale with scores levels all day.
Top order man Daniel Hackwill had another strong day, out winning both mixed and singles against Tom McKinnon, but Lucindale’s Duncan Ogilvie was too strong for number 2 Tom Pearce for Penola, with Duncan winning mixed and singles and Lucindale men winning the top men’s.
Scores were level going into the singles round, with Lucindale’s men Ogilvie and Bucket both winning their matches, while Penola’s Daniel Hackwill, Tim Finch, Chris Holden and Pete Bissel won 4/6 of the men’s singles.
Clare Garner, Meg Hombsch, Britt Voss and Alicia Orton were all too strong winning their singles for Lucindale, with Penola ladies Liz Rymill and Anna Young also having a win.
Scores were level going into the last round with two out of the last six matches going to a tie break.
It really was an even contest all day, with Penola bringing home the bacon winning two men’s doubles and two ladies doubles, with Alice Rainsford and Anna Young winning in the last match of the day for Penola to get them over the line.
It was a great day out at Lucindale.
Robe Rebels 5-88 lt Frances/Lucindale Eagles 19-145
The Rebels and Eagles took to the courts with both teams missing regular players.
The Eagles started the day very well winning all but one of the mixed doubles and from then on dominated the day.
Three set winners were all from the Eagles and included Bob Williams, Angus McTaggart, Oliver Close, Sophie Ford, Jane Fitzgerald and Craig Jones.
Thanks to the Rebels for supplying a magnificent afternoon tea and for turning down the wind.
Round 6 – Wimbledon Round
Round 6 will see most matches played at Lucindale for Wimbledon Round. Frances/Lucindale Eagles, undefeated so far, will feel confident heading into the round the Pirates.
Kingston Crays will be hopeful for two more points against the Lucindale Wombats.
Robe Roosters and Penola Rangers will be one to watch, this match could go either way.
However, the match of the day will see the Koalas and Rebels battle it out, with both teams looking to climb the ladder into higher positions.
Away from the action, Naraoorte will host the Buccaneers.
Ladder Points
F/L Eagles (10pts), B’port Buccaneers (9pts), Naracoorte Aces, Kingston Crays (6pts), Robe Rebels, B’port Pirates, Luc. Koalas, Penola Rangers (4pts), Robe Roosters (3pts), Luc. Wombats (0pts).
SPTA Junior Comp Results
It was a cold morning across the coast in the Southern Ports junior competition, but this did not stop players from partaking in some great tennis.
It was great to see a few close matches decided by two games.
Naracoorte Green also found their first win of the season.
Millicent lt Kingston Lighthouses: 29-43
The cool morning did not stop the Lighthouses who came out strong in the doubles, winning the top two.
Millicent’s Harvey Reilly and Arabella Hassell played well together to win 6-3.
Thankyou to Jacob Mules for filling in for Millicent.
Harvey and Frances Wilks also had a great battle in their singles, Frances winning 6-4.
Kingston Lobsters d Naracoorte Blue: 46-26
It was a chilly day in Kingston and the Lobsters came out strong, winning all the doubles.
Harry Austin was strong in the singles for Kingston winning 6-0.
Max and Matilda Lush won the only matches for Blue, with the Lobsters winning the day 46-28.
Borders 2 d Naracoorte Red: 41-39
Borders 2 had a narrow victory over Naracoorte Red, winning 41 games to 39.
Sidney Hawker and Gus Sambell were the players of the day for Borders 2 as they won both matches.
Special mention to Joseph Law from Borders 2 who won his singles match and to the Orton family for playing competitive tennis and being good sports.
Lucindale Cockatoos lt Naracoorte White: 13-54
It was a great day for tennis on the lawn courts at Lucindale.
Despite some one-sided games all the youngsters played really well with great sportsmanship.
A stand-out match for the day was the single between Sid Wilkin and Ernie Buckett, with Ernie taking the win in a tiebreak.
Well done to all players.
Naracoorte Yellow d Lucindale Roos: 44-42
There were perfect conditions in Naracoorte with a very close end result, with Naracoorte Yellow narrowly defeating Lucindale Roos by only two games. Both teams had eight players enabling everyone to play a double and a single.
Well done to Eva, William and Austin who had two wins each for Yellow, as did Vander for the Roos.
There were a number of long matches, with great rallies. Georgie and George had an excellent match with Georgie taking the win 7-5.
Annika and Taylor had an even match with Taylor just getting over the line, winning in a tie breaker.
Naracoorte Green d Borders 48-25
It was a perfect morning for tennis with both sides fielding full sides of nine players.
It was great to see so many kids having a hit and all of the reserves playing games.
There was great sportsmanship and lots of fun had by the players. Naracoorte Green came away with their first win for the season.
Ladder Points
Kingston Lobsters, Naracoorte White, Kingston Lighthouses (8pts), Naracoorte Yellow (6pts), Lucindale Roos, Naracoorte Red, Naracoorte Green (4pts), Borders 1, Borders 2, Lucindale Cockatoos (1pt), Naracoorte Blue, Millicent (0pts).
