All eyes were on the Lucindale Roos and Robe Rebels round-three Southern Ports Tennis showdown on Saturday.
Robe travelled to Lucindale trying to cement its top spot on the ladder against nearest rival the Roos.
The day started out as predicted with the score even with three sets each after the mixed doubles.
New Robe recruit Tori Gluyis’ match against Southern Ports legend Leanne Graetz was a great battle.
Greatz took charge to lead 5-2, but Gluyis pulled her socks up and showed a few tricks of her own to win it 7-5.
Robe managed to take home the two points with a 14/10 victory led by three-set winners Max Robertson, Asha Pettit and Lewis Ling.
The other match at Lucindale was a tight one between the Lucindale Cockies and Kingston.
A thrilling contest player out with the teams tied on 12 sets each.
After a count-back, the Cockies won the battle by four games.
Eliza Handbury and Lucy Handbury were three-set winners for the Cockies, while and Lou Leidig and Mitchell Pinkerton were in fine form for Kingston.
Naracoorte and the Lucindale Wombats faced off at Naracoorte, with the latter looking for its first win of the season.
Both sides were undermanned, however Naracoorte took an early fall, forfeiting six sets due to numbers.
Returning to their round one form after the bye, Kelsie Moyle-Read and Daniel Moos kicked off the afternoon with a 6-0 win over Tim Legoe and Kate Green.
Strong wins by Naracoorte in the top, third and fifth mixed doubles foreshadowed a tough battle ahead.
In the singles, Naracoorte’s top three men and women stormed through with comfortable wins, while the Wombat’s Sam Crocker and Cate Orton secured two much-needed sets in tiebreakers.
With four doubles to play, it was 10 sets a piece. And once again the Moyle-Read sisters delivered a close 9-7 win over Casey Weaver and Kate Green.
Having secured the bottom ladies double, the Wombats looked like a strong chance until Craig Jones and Tim Legoe had to retire due to injury at 3-5 in the top men’s double.
A clutch performance in the final match of the day by Michele Moyle-Read and Lottie Clyne secured the win for Naracoorte.
Frances/Naracoorte and Lucindale Koalas also enjoyed a day of competitive tennis at Naracoorte.
Both teams had late changes and welcomed junior players who showed skill and endurance.
There were a number of tie breakers and the games won on the day were close with Frances/Naracoorte leading 132 to Lucindale Koalas 109.
The top men’s single was a battle between Koalas’ Tim Durik and Frances/Naracoorte’s Tarrant Fudge was a hard-hitting game won by the former.
Tyler Atkinson won her singles 6-4 over Sally Schultz, while the men’s single’s father and son combinations played in a close competition with the home side’s Will Malone narrowly defeating Chandler Smart 7-6 and then Syd Malone beating Trevor Smart 7-6.
Three-set winners on the day were George Malone, Brayden Stewart, Kimberley Langley and Richard Pilmore for Francis/Naracoorte, while Matt Drew, Craig Brewin and Kate McGreggor achieved the feat for the Wombats.
Round four is set to be a great day of tennis with all teams playing the “Wimbledon Round” at Lucindale.
Kingston enjoys a rest this week, while the match of the round will be played between the Lucindale Roos and Frances/Naracoorte.
The Cockies could have a tough time against Naracoorte, while the Koalas are hopefully back to full strength against the in-form Robe Rebels and the Wombats are desperate for a win against Beachport/Millicent.
Play will commence at 12pm.
