After the dreaded COVID delayed the return back by a week, everyone was happy to get back on court for a bash in round 11 of 2021/22 Southern Ports Tennis season.
Unfortunately, the competition has been hit further due to covid with Kingston Dolphins having to withdraw from the remainder of the season giving the Eagles another week off.
Meanwhile, on the court the Kingston Crays scored their second win for the year beating second placed Koalas 14 sets to 10.
Naracoorte was expected to be a bit weaker after the break, but they have shown another strong performance by beating the third placed Wombats easily 15 sets to nine.
Both Robe teams secured good wins with the Roosters being too good for the Cockatoos 14 sets to 10 and the Rebels reversing the score line from round 1 beating Millicent/Beachport easily 17 sets to 7.
After an uncertain week, games commenced at Lucindale with the Wombats facing undefeated Naracoorte.
The Wombats started strong, securing four out of six mixed doubles.
The strong Naracoorte side showed its talent instantly starting the day with a 6-0 win.
In the singles, no one could question Naracoorte’s record.
They fought back to take 10 out of twelve singles with the ladies winning all their sets.
A 6-0 win to Naracoorte’s rising star, Harry White was the only walkover in the singles.
In a surprise upset, Brad Hocking defeated an on-form George White, 6-2.
However, match of the day goes to Matt Waugh and Daniel Menzel.
It was a hard-hitting affair that saw Waugh narrowly defeat Menzel, 6-4.
Naracoorte only required one set heading into the doubles and secured the honours swiftly, before Lucindale scored some wins at the last minute.
Three set winners for the day were Kelsie Moyle-Read, Jen Malone and Will Malone as Naracoorte – 15-133 defeated the Wombats 9-107.
No other reports were supplied by the time of print.
Everyone is looking forward to this weekend when the top of the table teams Naracoorte and Lucindale Koalas go head-to-head.
Naracoorte will have the home ground advantage which will be huge as the Koalas are hard to beat on lawn.
Naracoorte could be too strong at home, but the Koalas will not want to cop another loss as the Lucindale Wombats are right on their tail who come up against the Cockatoos this week.
The Wombats should win this but the Cockatoos were unlucky in the first half of the season so they could easily pull off some wins in this second half.
The other match that will be highly contested will be sixth placed Millicent/Beachport against the Eagles who are currently 4th.
It will be a strong battle at Beachport as the middle of the ladder fight for a win.
The Eagles won this battle in the first round on grass, but the home team will feel more at home on hard court.
At the other end of the ladder, the Kingston Crays are set to play host to Robe Rebels which will again be a real tussle.
The Robe Roosters will have the week off this week.
