Battle lines were drawn on the beautiful turf courts of the Lucindale Country Club where the South East Tennis Association hosted the region’s best young players as they fought for the Schuller Shield teams event recently.

The event is the junior 14 and Under boys and girls teams event for the region and the Mount Gambier District Tennis Association took on a combined Upper South East Team, consisting of players from Southern Ports Tennis Association, Naracoorte Tennis Association and Keith Tennis Association.

With eight boys and eight girls in the team the 32 players came together to enjoy perfect weather at the beautiful Lucindale Country Club.

Mount Gambier has proved to be a very tough opponent in this event for many years and the side once again showed its depth to secure a decisive 27 sets to five victory.

Although the final score was convincing, all players enjoyed themselves and the opportunity to play against different opponents from across the South East.

Starting with the boys and girls doubles the kids headed out with some stepping onto a lawn court for the first time.

They all adapted quickly to the low bounce and there was some really good tennis played. Angus McLachlan and Boston Loller put up a good long fight against the Mount Gambier pair of Matthew Aarts and Archie Aitkin just going down 7-5.

Brad Kelloch and Toby Longbottom had a good match with plenty of long rallies against Kobe Cole and Patrick Robinson.

Kiele Longbottom and Lottie Clyne were the only pair to secure a win in the doubles for the Upper South East getting a 6-4 victory over Sarah Brown and Jess Douglas.

Singles then took centre stage and Mount Gambier continued to show its strength in some entertaining matches where all the players showed a tremendous amount of sportsmanship and effort.

Longbottom who was too strong for Sarah Brown winning 6-3, while Lottie Clyne who was gritty in her 7-6 win over Jess Douglas.

Tom Handbury and his good mate Jace Maxwell also had a good tussle which could have gone either way.

Eventually Handbury ended on top 6-4.

Bradley Kelloch put up another good effort but was not able to get there going down 6-4 to Patrick Robinson.

After a well-earned lunch break under the shade of the trees it was back out for the final round of matches which were the mixed doubles – a new inclusion this year, which seemed to be enjoyed by the kids.

Mount Gambier was very impressive with their doubles play, taking seven out of the eight sets.

Handbury and Longbottom combined well, using their experience of playing on the lawn and were strong in their 6-3 win for the USE against Jace Maxwell and Sarah Brown.

But after a big day of tennis, Mount Gambier proved too strong and retained the Schuller Shield, while all players received medals sponsored by SETA.