Round 15 of Southern Ports Tennis Association has been played and the positions are set for the Grand Final this week.
The Frances/Lucindale Eagles had the toughest task of taking on Naracoorte but they took it right up to the top side and fought hard till the very end only going down by six games, unfortunately for the Eagles it’s still a loss and that puts them in fifth position to play off in Division 3.
Lucindale Koalas gave themselves every chance for that top division spot securing a close 13-11 win over Robe Rebels but with Robe Roosters securing the win over Millicent/Beachport this has cemented Robe Roosters to play off against Naracoorte in the Division 1, while the Koalas finished third who will take on the Lucindale Wombats who got the forfeit win this week.
Millicent/Beachport could not move this week so they already had their spot booked in for the Division 3 grand final.
The last match for the round which did not have any influence on the grand final except to finish the year on a high saw the cockatoos sneak over the line for a 13-11 win over Kingston Crays.
What a close competition it has been this season with the margin minimal except for the dominant Naracoorte.
The competitiveness between the top placed teams was at a high this week.
After swapping a match early in the season, Naracoorte played in their final home game against Frances / Lucindale.
The game came just in time with players having the opportunity to use three of Naracoorte’s refurbished courts.
In the singles, Naracoorte was able to draw level again.
Wins to all the Moyle-Read’s, Jen Malone and Katelyn Baker rounded out a solid season for Naracoorte’s women.
Mark Woods pushed for top spot with another win, this time over Daniel Menzel, 6-3.
Frances/Lucindale men continued to trouble Naracoorte with wins by Craig Jones, Peter Lawrie and Bob Williams.
At the end of the singles, it was nine sets a piece, Naracoorte leading by six games.
The doubles started with a 9-3 win to Frances/Lucindale in the top men’s double which was quickly countered with a 9-4 win by the Moyle-Read sisters.
This week the ladies were able to come away with the win 9-3, securing the day for Naracoorte by just six games.
Lucindale Koalas just got over the line against the Robe Rebels.
Played at Robe in beautiful weather, the wind did prove a bit tricky, where you had to bash it one end and tap it the other to get it in.
An even day where each team won six singles matches and three ladies and three men’s doubles each.
The deciding factor was the Koalas won an extra mixed doubles to claim the day.
Great matches of the day included Trevor Smart’s come from behind 0-3 down to win 6-4 in the singles and the ladies’ doubles of Sarah Laurie and Sam Mathews winning in a tie-break 10-9 against Kate McGregor and Lissy Orton, notching up Sam’s first win.
Winners of all their matches were Paul Bobridge, Rachelle Mckay and Sarah Laurie from Robe and Duncan Ogilvie, Trevor Smart and Samuel Crocker from the Koalas.
Sam Crocker was on song and did not drop a game all day.
A sunny day at Beachport with a strong breeze going down the court made it a bit difficult keeping the ball in going with it and hitting hard enough against it.
The Roosters started on fire by winning five mixed doubles with the number two’s playing out a tie breaker going the Robe way.
The Roosters again took control winning eight singles.
Lucy Corman played a great game on centre court to knock off Kim Austin 6-3.
To finish the day the roosters won 4/6 in the doubles with the last set of the day of the three and four men going 9-7 Robe’s way.
Roosters walked away winners 17/7 and secured there spot in the Division 1 final against Naracoorte next week.
In the battle of the cellar dwellers to finish the season the Cockies just pipped Kingston 13-11 in a match that could easily have gone the other way.
In fact it was only three games (116-113) that separated the two sides.
Top seed Bianca Cunneen showed her class by sweeping her three sets while Lachie Jones and Matt Menz had a great singles battle with Lachie trumping 6-4.
Other winners of all three sets included Katharine Legoe, Jamie Weaver, Harry Drew and Matt Johns for the cockies and Shaun Mules and Hamish Telfer for Kingston.
In what has been a tough season for Kingston due to a number of factors it was great to have a competitive and great spirited day to finish the season.
Onto the big day this Saturday where Lucindale will host the grand final which everyone knows is a superb location.
The day starts at 12:30pm and some great tennis will be seen on the hill.
This 10-team competition has the top six teams play off on grand final day in three divisions.
In Division 1 Naracoorte faces off with Robe Roosters for the ultimate prize.
These two teams played in round 14 and the Roosters inflicted Naracoorte’s first loss for the season so expect this to be a great match once again.
Naracoorte have dominated the competition this season with many Naracoorte players having consistent seasons.
Robe Roosters have done an incredible job to make it to the Division 1 berth with the start of the season starting slow but what an epic finish to the season with eight straight wins in a row.
It’s hard to tip but with Naracoorte’s dominance they will be hard to beat, with the victory expected to come down to games again just like two weeks ago.
The Division 2 finale sees Lucindale Koalas and Lucindale Wombats clash for the ultimate bragging rights.
Both sides held second spot late in the season but could not hang on to secure a Division 1 spot, so this will be a highly contested match.
The Koalas have been strong all year with a little lapse after the break which really cost them on the ladder, but have regrouped and won the last two matches of which included their opposition the Wombats.
The Wombats have been consistent with convincing wins except when it comes to the top six teams where they have fallen victim to convincing losses, but some great tussles.
Being that we also had a preview of this match two weeks ago, the Koalas should prevail being just behind Naracoorte all year.
Division 3 will be contested between Frances/Lucindale Eagles and Millicent/Beachport.
Both sides have had highs and lows during the season which is how they landed in the Division 3 playoff.
The Eagles have been up and down all season but finished strong with a close loss to Naracoorte which would have to give them a lot of confidence.
Millicent/Beachport started the season flying sitting in second spot but the convincing first round loss to the Eagles saw them slide right down the ladder.
They managed to find some wins to hang onto that sixth position with an all-important win over the Eagles a few weeks ago.
It is a bit hard for not to tip Millicent/Beachport but just like the other two matches both teams will have to work hard for the win.
Presentations and dinner will be in the Lucindale Country Club from around 6pm onwards.
