The race for the 2021-22 Mount Gambier and District Tennis Association Division 2 minor premiership is tightening nicely after another competitive weekend of matches.

After five rounds no clear leader has emerged from a pack of five teams separated by a single game.

Only three sets separate Mount Gambier Blue and Glencoe in second and third on the ladder and even less split the pair on the courts of Heriot Street.

In a classic back and forth battle Glencoe edged out the home side by the meagre margin of a single game after all 12 sets were evenly shared.

Mount Gambier Blue seized the early initiative through Michael Cameron, who outplayed Mark Feetom 6-4.

Despite the early defeat Glencoe rallied and appeared on course for the overall win following a hat-trick of singles sets.

After a seesawing battle which saw the momentum fluctuate throughout the set, David Cole got the better of Lachlan Patzel by a single game.

Sporting a very distinctive playing uniform Sam Hentschke was in fine form hitting the ball with plenty of muscle to overcome Will Cameron 6-3.

The trio of Glencoe wins was completed by Chloe Watson, who cruised past Taryn Gartner.

Trailing by two sets Mount Gambier Blue needed to get back into the game and a dominant win by Jodie Carey was the perfect way to do so.

The breakthrough was strongly supported by Jayel van den Hurk, who triumphed 7-5 win her set with Alison Auld.

The pair of late wins from the home side levelled the overall ledger once again to set up a grand finale in the doubles.

The visitors enjoyed a winning start thanks to Feeton and Sam Auld after their comfortable win.

The match of the day was the doubles delight between Sam Auld and Hentschke on the Glencoe side of the net and the Cameron duo on the other.

At times the rallies were so good the singles contest stopped its own game to admire the battle which went down to a tiebreaker.

Eventually the Cameron’s understanding of each other on and off the court proved decisive as they gave Mount Gambier Blue an important win.

But Hentschke got revenge in his other doubles battle with Cole, while Gartner and Carey gave the hosts a big win in the following set.

After Watson and Alison Auld knocked off van den Hurk and Gartner 6-3, Glencoe appeared to be the team to beat heading into the final set.

To knock Glencoe off its perch, Mount Gambier Green needed to win the final double by at least three games.

Carey and van den Hurk did their best defeating Alison Auld and Ruth Thami, but the winning margin was only 6-4 which ensured Glencoe held onto the overall win by the skin of its teeth.

West Gambier Blue needed a win to stay in touch with the finals contenders and its important victory occurred on home turf at Malseed Park against a spirited Mount Gambier Green machine.

The hosts hit the ground running in the best possible fashion thanks to Jamie Higgins after his 6-0 triumph over Ben Kerin.

Mark Stutley continued the momentum with a similarly dominant singles stoush against Tim Benny.

But the visitors found an avenue back into the contest after Andrew Le Cornu and Grace Edwards overcame Matthew Charlton and Kirra McKenny respectively.

The leaderboard remained squared after the final two singles sets were split evenly between Layla McPherson and Rylee Seidel.

It was game on for the doubles with the contest on the line and some entertaining action was the result.

Higgins and Stutley maintained their winning form to keep West Blue in front, but Kerin and Le Cornu hit back instantly with a tight 5-7 triumph in the second double.

After the brief scare West Blue took control with a pair of important doubles wins.

Stutley and Charlton were too good for Benny and Le Cornu 6-2 before McKenny and McPherson doubled their opponents score.

Needing to win the final two doubles to have any chance of winning, Mount Gambier Green made one last desperate attempt.

Edwards and Seidl outclassed Mckenny and Rylee Kuchel 6-2.

With the hosts one set ahead, the contest was still in the balance as the players hit the court for the final double.

But McPherson and Kuchel ensured there were no late hiccups as they defeated Lucy Clarke and Seidl 6-3 to seal the two-set victory for West Blue.

West Gambier Red currently sits at the top of the tree with three wins from five as the only team yet to suffer defeat.

Its latest success was a 9-3 triumph at Malseed Park against Mount Schank.

The victory was set by a scintillating run through the singles where West Red won all six sets, plus the opening pair of doubles.