Last Sunday the Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club hosted the annual Godfathers Junior Tournament. The tournament was a huge success with 68 juniors competing. Players from throughout the north east region competed, with players travelling from as far as Kyabram, Yackandandah and Echuca.
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It was extremely pleasing to see a large contingent of local juniors playing as well. Thank you so much to all of the parents who assisted on the day to ensure matches flowed at a reasonable rate.
Yarrawonga’s players performed very well on the day with many reaching the final of their event.
In the 14/U girls Emily Linehan and Olivia Lewis had a great match before Emily was able to win 6/4. The 12/U boys saw Harry Wren and Tague Saunders have a terrific battler with Harry sneaking away to win 6/3.
The 8/U boys played a round robin event and was hotly contested with locals Beau Lawrence and Jack Farr finishing first and second in their first tournament.
In the 8/U girls division Poppy Robinson won her final 6/4 against her Shepparton opponent in a fantastic match.
Siblings Annabelle and Ernie Buerckner both finished runners up in their 10/U sections with both playing outstanding tennis.
The Godfathers have been long term supporters of this event. The Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club appreciates their ongoing support.
The enjoyment the players gain from playing tennis is immense. It also an added bonus if they receive some silverware for their efforts.
Saturday Junior Tennis
Junior Tennis set a world record of 247 icy poles being consumed will resumed on Saturday. There were players absolutely everywhere with organisers now having the problem or court availability.
It is a great problem to have. Having said that there are still positions available in the Hot Shots Program if any 5–6-year-olds are interested.
The Hot Shots and coaching groups continue to develop at a rapid rate. It is fantastic to see the improvement of all players.
This bodes well for the future of both junior program but more importantly the club. On Saturday YLTC temporarily farewelled two long term coaches Jack Bassett and Fraser Bennett who for various positive reasons are not coaching again this season.
Best wishes and thank you for their efforts over many years.
Players in matches have improved substantially with extremely long rallies. As a result matches went longer than normal.
Group winners were Taylor Lewis, Tom Hemphill, Ella Smith, Eliza Lawrence, Tristan Meredith, Lenny Robinson, Ella Knight and Ava Hart.
Premier League
The second season of Premier League commenced on Saturday. This competition involves 48 of the older kids competing in four teams. Each player completes a singles, doubles and mixed doubles each morning. The team that wins the most set is declared the winner in each rubber.
In the first rubber Zheng took on Sinner. There were a lot of very even matches before Zheng was able to sneak away towards the end of the morning to win 15 sets to 9.
For Zheng Flynn Woolley, Ernie Buerckner and Lucy Judd all won three sets. For Sinner their best player was Theo Vodusek who won all of his games.
The second rubber was as an incredible contest with close matches all day. At the end of the day Medvedev and Sabalenka were even with 12 sets each.
This was the first draw in the history of Premier League. For Sabalenka Billie Buerckner and Jimmy Robinson won all of their matches and for Medvedev Ed Withers was undefeated.
After round 1 the ladder is Zheng 19, Medvedev 14, Sabalenka 14, Sinner 9.
Wilby Tennis
The Wilby and District Tennis Association completed the second last round for the season. Matches were mainly played on Friday night with one completing the round on Saturday.
Feedback from everyone involved indicated another fun week of tennis.
Mulwala Maroon hosted Burramine at Lonsdale Reserve. The mens section was very close with each team winning 3 sets with Burramine winning by 2 games. New recruit Aidan Humphry was best for Burramine winning all of his sets.
In the ladies Burramine had a clean sweep winning all 6 sets. Loz Wallace, Narelle Bassett, Olivia Lewis and Ella Lewis all played really consistent tennis. The mixed had some good sets with Burramine winning 3 sets to 1. Burramine taking the points 8 to 0.
Tungamah Gold hosted Savernake alongside the Boosey Creek. Savernake’s men were on fire winning all 6 sets. Jeremy Kelly, Cam Arthur, Pat Kelly and Jock Toms are forming a ruthless combination.
Tungamah bounced back in the ladies to win the first 2 sets before Savernake consolidated to win the last 4. None of the ladies won all 3 sets. Savernake won all 4 sets in the mixed to claim all 8 points.
Mulwala Gold travelled across the Murray to take on Telford on the grass at Yarrawonga. The mens section was extremely tight with sets shared and Telford home by a single game. Damian Cook was undefeated and continues to be considered the standout player of the competition.
Telford’s ever consistent ladies were in fine form winning all 6 sets. Angela Mitchell, Chris Hawkins, Laura Nunn and Emma Pearce all combined very well.
The mixed was split 2 sets all with Telford home by 4 games. Telford consolidating top position with the 8 points.
At Wilby on Saturday the two long time fierce rivals Wilby and Tungamah Green battled it out. Wilby snuck ahead in the mens after sets were shared but they were up by 2 games. Russell Whinray was best on court winning all of his matches.
Tungamah bounced back in the ladies winning 4 sets to 2 with Jenny Buerckner undefeated. The mixed was 2 sets all with Wilby home by 3 games. Indicating how close the day was the games were exactly even at the end of the afternoon. Wilby taking the points 5 to 3.
The highlight of the day was the debut of 8-year-old Ernie Buerckner who won a set with his Mum Jenny.
After round 9 the ladder is Telford 62, Savernake 61, Burramine 49, Tungamah Gold 48, Wilby 46, Tungamah Green 39, Mulwala Gold 28, Mulwala Maroon 19.
Thursday ladies
The second season of Thursday Night Ladies had its second week with 8 teams hitting the courts. There were some new faces as well as the regular players ensuring a fantastic group playing for the next few months.
There will be a general bye this week with many ladies participating in Country Week.
Technifibre’s squad of Janelle Hartwig, Mahlee Hartwig, Lara Angwin and Lorraine Dean were in exceptional form to win easily. Technifibre 6 sets to 0.
Head had a strong win over Dunlop winning 5 sets to 1. Kate Porter and Emma Pearce were both undefeated for the night.
Yonex and Wilson had a really good hit with Yonex sneaking ahead 4 sets to 2. Bev Munro’s extra practise sessions proving beneficial with 3 wins.
The final rubber was the match of the night with the score 3 sets all. Slazenger defeating Babalot by 2 games. Indicating how close it was no player won 3 matches.
The ladder after Round 2 is Slazenger 12, Yonex 11, Dunlop 9, Technifibre 9, Head 8, Wilson 6, Babolat 5, Prince 0.
Tuesday mens
Round 10 of Tuesday Mens tennis was played last week. Some long rallies and a lot of banter made for an enjoyable night.
Warner had a strong win over Zampa 5 sets to 1. Debutant Aidan Humphry and Jim Zanin were both in fine form to be undefeated.
Stoinis replicated this scoreline with a win over Inglis 5 to 1. Andrew Beggs and Rob Zubin won all of their sets and hit the ball nicely.
Top four teams Labuschagne and Hazelwood finished in darkness with Labuschagne winning 4 sets to 2. This was on the back of Jack Bassett making a cameo performance to win his sets.
The ladder leaders Maxwell and Head had a battle worthy of such outstanding teams. Head won the night 4 sets to 2 with Mike Lairson best on court being undefeated.
Finalising the night Marsh had another 4 to 2 set win over Starc. Matt Prestage stood tall to be the best player winning his matches.
After round 10 the ladder is stabilising. Head 57, Maxwell 52, Warner 46, Labuschagne 46, Hazelwood 43, Starc 42, Marsh 41, Cummins 33, Stoinis 33, Zampa 26 and Inglis 21.
Bassett goes back to back
Lucy Bassett made it back-to-back Numurkah Club Championships on the weekend. Lucy won 6/1, 6/2 in the final in a strong display. Lucy has now won 2 Numurkah and 2 Yarrawonga Club Championships now which is an outstanding effort for a 16-year-old.
Jack Bassett was runners up in the mens event after one of the best finals seen at the club.
Against 7-time winner Nick Fenaughty, Jack lost the third set super tiebreaker 11/9. Great tennis played in even better spirits.
Goulburn Murray Tennis
Numurkah played Shepparton in Division 1 of Goulburn Murray Tennis. This match saw the return of Grant Chappell after a long layoff with injury. His big serve was on fire as he won his singles match. Ever consistent John Brunner won both his singles and doubles.
Jack Bassett won a doubles match and Lucy Bassett had an outstanding 8/1 win in her singles. Numurkah won by 14 games to remain on top of the ladder.
Division 2 saw Cobram have a solid win. They remain well clear on top of the ladder and are certainly premiership favourites. Daryl Bennett continued his solid form winning 2 matches.
Rock up and play sessions
The YLTC holds social aggregate style tennis at four different times during the week. Each of these events provide the opportunity for new players to come and trial tennis prior to committing to becoming a member.
The main aggregate night is Friday night starting at 6pm. The other times where anyone can simply sign-in on the day are Saturday at 1pm for all players, Tuesday morning commencing at 9.30 for thw ladies and Wednesday at 9am for the mens social hit.
There is no compulsion to attend each of these on a weekly basis although once you have tried it once it will be hard to not keep going back.
Club Championships
The dates for the Club Championships have been locked in. The Junior Club Championships will take place during the regular Saturday morning program on Saturday, February 24.
The Senior Club Championships will be on Sunday, February 25.
Yarrawonga Chronicle