Tennis is back on the Limestone Coast with the return of the Southern Ports Tennis Association season.
This year looks to be a cracking year with three of Saturday’s matches producing tight scores.
Last year’s Div 1 winners, Frances/Lucindale Eagles will be looking to go back-to-back with only a few changes to their team, while again.
Naracoorte – 13-119 d Robe Roosters 11-105 Despite the blustery conditions at Naracoorte, it was a great afternoon of tennis to start Round 1.
Naracoorte started the day strong with wins in four mixed doubles.
The Naracoorte Menzel/P.Moyle-Read pair seem to have held their form over the break to win over Rains/H.Agnew 6-2.
Meanwhile, it was much harder work for Wende/Malone, who held on to secure a tiebreak over J.Agnew/K.Agnew.
Lewis Ling made a comeback after retiring at the end of the 2022/23 season.
The veteran player, along with Samantha Matthews, proved too strong for young Naracoorte guns Baker/Redding, stealing the Roosters a set in a tiebreak.
Into the singles, Naracoorte’s women will prove tough competition again this season with wins to five of their ladies.
Only dropping five games in their winning sets, Michele Moyle-Read led the way with a 6-0 win over Tracey Bainger.
The men’s singles were a different story.
The Roosters took five from six sets, keeping them firmly in the competition with wins to Rains, Obst and B. Agnew.
A shoutout to Max Domaschenz (RR) and Samuel Birchard (N) who were both new to the SPTA competition.
It’s great to see some new faces on the courts.
Domaschenz defeated Birchard, 6-1.
With the day still looking tight, it was into the doubles.
Again, Ling showed his experience, joining M.Domaschenz to defeat Baker/Birchard, 9-0.
The other men’s doubles also went Robe’s way.
Naracoorte was able to hold in the women’s doubles with the Moyle-Read sisters storming to victory, 9-2, followed closely by M.Moyle-Read/Malone.
With all eyes on the last set of the day, the youngsters in pink, Redding/Midwinter, were able to secure the day for Naracoorte, defeating A.Domaschenz/P.Baker, 9-7.
Well done to three set winners: Poppy, Kelsie and Michele Moyle-Read, and Jen Malone (Naracoorte) as well as newcomer Max Domaschenz and Lewis Ling (Robe Roosters).
Frances/Lucindale Eagles 13-125 d Beachport 11-121 Terrible conditions made for some terrible tennis and vice versa.
The Eagles welcomed Hayley Crossling and Grace Porter-Dabrowski who by all accounts could possibly give the higher order ladies a run for their money.
Congratulations to all three set winners from both clubs, you were the ones that outplayed the weather.
The Eagles narrowly went home with the win.
Lucindale Wombats d Lucindale Koalas With windy cold conditions it was a tough first round, to which everyone adapted well.
The Koalas were up and about early, securing four of the mixed doubles.
In the singles the Wombats came back fighting, taking four of the men’s singles, with wins to Sam Graetz, Chandler Smart, Tom McKinnon and Peter Stock.
But the Koalas women were just too good, securing four comfortable singles of their own.
The doubles were an even split.
The day finished with nail-biting match between Legoe/Buckett (LK) and McKinnon/Baker (LW) which saw the Wombats pair secure their final set in a 10-9 tiebreak.
Robe Rebels 20-147 d Penola 3-47 With some windy conditions in Robe, it made for some tough tennis.
However Robe used this to their advantage and came out strong winning all mixed doubles.
There were some close matches in the singles with the number 1 women Lisa Hall and Carolyn McGrath having a close one, Lisa coming away with the win 6-4.
The doubles saw Robe come home strong, winning 4 out of 5, with the last double not being able to finish due to the weather.
The Rebels came away with a strong win 20-3.
At the end of Round 1 the Robe Rebels sit comfortably at the top of the ladder after their convincing win over Penola.
Lucindale Wombats, Naracoorte and Frances/Lucindale Eagles sit closely behind, only games separating them.
Next Round, Kingston make their 2023/24 debut with a match against the Robe Roosters in Robe.
Beachport will be keen to host the Robe Rebels and we see two matches at Lucindale when the Koalas take on the Eagles and the Wombats face Penola.
It’s not too late to join in the tennis action.
If you’re looking for a chance to play this season whether it be each week or as a fill-in, please contact your local club.
