The 2021/22 Mount Gambier and District Tennis Association season is approaching the pointy end and teams are bracing themselves for a late push towards finals this Saturday.

Since October the four Division 1 teams have been forging rivalries at the net and will step into the final set of matches this weekend.

With three rounds to go, each team only has one more chance to steal some bragging rights from one another before the season closes.

On Saturday afternoon the last 2020/21 grand final rematch of the season will take place at Glencoe.

It will be a tall order for the hosts to score a long-awaited win with its opponent Centrals/Uniting riding high on a wave of momentum.

Since overcoming Glencoe in last season’s decider, Mark Heemskerk’s team has gone from strength to strength.

The ladder leaders remain the benchmark after setting the pace all season and roll into this fixture back in form.

After suffering a surprise loss to Reidy Park, Centrals/Uniting bounced back in a big way beating West Gambier in convincing fashion.

The likes of Andrew van den Hurk, Heemskurk and Ashlea Dunn were ruthless in particular to secure a 8-4 victory.

It put Centrals/Uniting on the front foot again ready to launch into the business end of the season.

Glencoe is still yet to win a game this summer and had its colours lowered by a disappointing performance against Reidy Park last week.

Captain Dylan Childs was the only player to win a set all day for the wooden spoon holders as Reidy Park ran amok.

It could be a long afternoon for Glencoe, but the team will be looking for the small wins.

Back in the Blue Lake city, West Gambier hosts Reidy Park in the match of the round.

Both teams will be desperate to land some mental blows ahead of next month’s winner-takes-all semi-final with their strangleholds on second and third on the ladder locked in.

Another classic can be anticipated after some interesting results in previous battles.

Since getting thumped by Reidy Park 10-2 in round 2, West has slowly closed the gap to tie the third contest before winning the previous battle by two sets.

If this weekend replicates the round 8 contest, fans will be in for a treat as the likes of Zayne Young, Ethan Schultz, Bailey Young and Jessica Stutley go toe-to-toe.

It is starting to become crunch time in Division 2 with limited opportunities to seal finals berths and this weekend’s fixture has paired the perfect contests which could have a significant say on the postseason run.

West Gambier Blue and Reidy Park lock horns in a must-win clash to stay in touch with the top four.

After defeats last weekend both teams dropped out of the top four and are desperate to score a win and reclaim their turf in the thrilling fight for ladder positions three and four.

The other teams mixed up in the stoush are Mount Schank and Mount Gambier Blue and the rivals will also face off.

Mount Schank enjoys the home-court advantage in the critical clash where a win could go a long way to realising their post-season dreams.

Both teams made huge ground last weekend jumping into the final four and would love nothing more than to keep the momentum going towards finals.

In the other game West Gambier Red should cruise past Mount Gambier Green.

In Division 3 Mil Lel and Suttontown Tigers aim to enhance their cases for the minor premiership against Uniting and Moorak respectively.

Centrals and Suttontown Dons meet in what could also be a one-sided contest.

All senior games will be held on Saturday afternoon.