It was perfect conditions for Tennis Geelong’s grand final day, and the teams made the most of it with great tennis across all sections.
Highton were best represented with six teams making it to the final day with success at the top end.
Wandana Heights came from fourth to challenge in 1 Open, and while they came close in a couple of rubbers losing in tie-breaks, Highton proved too strong winning 4-0.
Section 1 Men had a tough match against Grovedale with a come from behind win. Jason Raselli and Joe Horvat were 4-5 down with match points against them, with the match at 3-2 to Grovedale, but managed to pull themselves up to win the final set 7-5 to leave them four games ahead while level of sets.
Grovedale had five teams playing on the day, with success in 4 Open sections, three of which were against Highton.
In 4 Open Highton and Grovedale Yellow didn’t play during the home and away season, due to the weather, but Grovedale proved too strong in both finals, coming home with a 3-1 win on the big day.
3 Open also finished second behind Highton after the regular season, but posted a 3-1 in the semi and improved with a 4-0 in the grand final to be crowned premiers.
Grovedale Yellow proved dominant all year in 6 Open finishing the season undefeated with a 3-1 win over Highton Blue. Grovedale finished the season
one point ahead of Hamlyn Park in 5 Open, and had 3-1 losses in both previous encounters.
All rubbers were hard fought with Grovedale prevailing in the doubles and Hamlyn Park the singles, leaving the match tied at two rubbers all, but with both singles going to a super tie-break, Grovedale had a six set to two advantage, putting them up on the day.
Grovedale didn’t fare so well in their mixed grades, but did go very close. Teesdale won the first two sets in 5 Mixed before Grovedale won both doubles to put the match level on sets and games. Teesdale won the 5th set 6-2 and Grovedale the 6th 6-4, Teesdale took the win by two games.
In 2 Mixed Grovedale were three sets to one going into the reverse mixed, but Clifton Springs rallied to win both and tie the match on sets and games, forcing a seventh set. Matthew Meier and Elodie Greenwood took the win 6-3 for the Springs, crowning the team premiers.
Surfcoast were triumphant in two of their three finals, although with both at three sets all there was plenty of nail biting on the side lines. Both Surfcoast and Bannockburn had scored a win during home and away in 2 Mens, so both teams needed to play well. The wins seesawed, with Bellbrae 4 games ahead when the final point was won.
It was even tighter in 3 Mixed where Surfcoast Torquay was tied on sets and games with Newcomb going into the reverse mixed. The remaining sets were split with Torquay ahead by one game, the win spearheaded by three set winner Marie Kullenberg.
Newcomb’s bad day continued with their 4 Mixed team going down to Western Heights Uniting Blue. WHU had not managed a win over Newcomb in home and away or the first semi, but pulled it together after losing the first set to win the next five to win 5-1.
Geelong East Uniting Church (3 Men) and Bannockburn (1 Mixed) had dominated their sections through the season, with the final no exception. GEUC accounted for Drysdale 5-1 and Bannockburn posted a 6-0 win over Moriac Blue to both be crowned premiers and champions.
Barwon Heads had two teams playing on Saturday, 7 Open coming up against minor premiers Wandana Heights, who proved too strong winning 4-0, while in 2 Open the Heads were at one rubber apiece with Highton going into the reverse rubbers, the Heads managed to take both to claim the win 3-1.
