Round 2 of the Wilby and District Tennis Association was enjoyed by all on the weekend. There were some very close results and a number of new players participating in the competition.
Mulwala Gold hosted Tungamah Green at Lonsdale Reserve. The men had many close sets before Mulwala claimed this section 4 sets to 2.
This was on the back of young gun Xavier Chessells winning all of his matches. Tungamah bounced back strongly in the ladies to be victorious 5 sets to 1 with Renee Wren winning all of her sets. Youngsters Elli Buerckener and Lucy Judd sharing the name 4 position and being undefeated. Tungamah continued their fight back in the mixed to win 3 of the sets.
Overall Tungamah up by 14 games to take the night 6 points to 2.
At Tungamah, Mulwala Green played Tungamah Gold. Hudson Gillies’ tennis comeback appears on track after his undefeated efforts steered Mulwala’s men to a 4 sets to 2 win.
Tungamah’s ever consistent ladies won all of their sets although there were some close sets. Mandy Williams, Debbie Hayes, Danielle Lawrence and youngster Ty Dickins all played well.
Mulwala bounced back in the mixed to win three sets but lost on games which is where the money is won. In a fantastic night of social tennis Tungamah Gold took the points 6 to 2.
At the home of tennis, Telford took on Burramine. Led by skipper Andrew Banks who was undefeated, Burramine’s men were able to secure 4 of the 6 sets.
The ladies was extremely tight, with Burramine winning by a single game despite winning 4 sets. Telford’s number 1, Tess Bassett was in great form to win all of her matches.
In their debuts, sharing the number 4 position Olivia Lewis and Ella Lewis both won a set. The mixed was saw the sets shared 2 apiece although Telford won this section by 6 games. Telford taking the points 6 to 2.
On Saturday Wilby made the journey out to Savernake who were at home for the first time for the season. The mens’ section was extremely close with the sets being shared 3 all before Wilby came out on top by 4 games. Confirming the tight contest none of the men claimed 3 wins.
In the ladies, the competition was just as even with 3 sets apiece with Savernake winning by 5 games on the back of Angelique Bruce winning all over sets. Wilby put the result beyond doubt with 3 strong wins in the mixed section to claim the entire day by 11 games. Wilby 6 points to Savernake 2.
After round 1 the ladder is Telford 13, Wilby 12, Burramine 8, Tungamah Gold 8, Tungamah Green 8, Mulwala Gold 6, Mulwala Maroon 6, Savernake 3.
This week Telford host Tungamah Green, Savernake visits Mulwala Maroon, Tungamah Gold will play Mulwala Gold and on Saturday Wilby will take on Burramine.
Fast four is back
The interest in the Wednesday Social Tennis has been an initiative over the past few seasons.
The competition will be very social and run on Wednesdays during November commencing on November 8. Spectators including kids are more than welcome. This will certainly ensure a great atmosphere. The Fast Four Tennis will be fun with teams pitted against line-ups of similar abilities.
At the conclusion of the bar will be open to continue the socialisation process.
Teams can be entered by contacting Jason Bassett.
Saturday junior tennis
On a perfect morning for tennis the courts were at capacity with all players having a great time.
The Hot Shots program is designed for novice players aged between 5 and 7. The kids learn the fundamentals of tennis on small courts with low compression tennis balls. Minor games and skills are combined in the 40 minute sessions designed to keep the kids entertained whilst learning new skills.
The kids really enjoyed their first morning under the tutorage of current Club Champion Lucy Bassett and assistants Emily Linehan, Hayley Bennett and Tess Bassett. The assistance of parents for this program is essential and it was great to see everyone getting involved.
The coaching program is the next step on the Saturday morning coaching journey and is aimed at players between the ages of 7 and 11. Club Coach Greg Duns oversees this area and he has had to be very creative with around 30 players in each group.
As usual Greg will design programs that are both entertaining and appropriate for player development. With gun juniors Jack Bassett, Fraser Bennett, Ella Rhodes, Jess Linehan, Mekaylah Duns and Laynee Rhodes also lending their knowledge to this program it is evident that these juniors will rapidly improve.
The players that will play matches again were part of a fun game of ‘Up and Down the River’ that ensured everyone in attendance hit a maximum amount of balls whilst they were there.
With many long rallies there were some fantastic shots played. This Saturday matches will commence, with players required to register before 8.50am.
Whilst the numbers for the Saturday junior program have been overwhelming, the club has taken positive steps by ensuring there is a lot of coaches to ensure as many balls are hit each morning as possible.
There are still positions available and anyone interested are encouraged to contact Greg Duns, Lisa Linehan or Jason Bassett as soon as possible to join the fun.
A junior squad program has commenced on a Thursday afternoon. Squad is overseen by experienced Club Coach Greg Duns. Greg provides a range of drills to ensure stroke and tactical development.
Greg and his coaching team also provide junior group coaching sessions on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. These sessions are great fun and to improve at tennis it is recommended that a weekday practice session coupled with Saturday morning matchplay is a perfect combination.
For younger players the more tennis sessions the kids do the better they become.
North East Veterans Tournament
Tatura hosted the second tournament of the year in the North East Veterans series. This series is for players aged 30 and over and during the tennis season there are 16 tournaments across the region.
Around 40 players had a hit and many displayed some good form. It was pleasing to see so many local players supporting the event.
Local legends Mike Lairson, Ellen Bruce and John Brunner continued their great form to win their cards. Amy Lairson also had a good day finishing second on her card. Returning to this series, Gert Brunner had a good hit and narrowly missed out on the chocolates.
Goulburn Murray tennis
The Goulburn Murray Tennis Association completed round 2 on Saturday. Local clubs Numurkah and Cobram have been very generous in the support of Yarrawonga players keen to play at a higher standard.
In Division 1 Numurkah had a remarkable battle with Shepparton. When the scores were tallied whilst eating afternoon tea, the teams could not be split.
Both teams winning 6 sets and 71 games which is unheard of. John Brunner was on fire winning all of his sets, whilst Jack Bassett won 2 including a 8/7 tiebreak singles win and Lucy Bassett won her singles.
In Division 2, Cobram hosted Numurkah meaning Yarrawonga’s players were competing against each other.
There was a very tight contest with sets all but even with Cobram winning the day by 2 games. Daryl Bennett was in great form for Cobram claiming 3 victories and Hayley Bennett having 2 wins. For Numurkah Ellen Bruce won 2 sets and Tess Bassett 1.
Thursday ladies competition
The Thursday Ladies team’s competition will commence on Thursday, November 9. If anyone is interested please contact Gert Brunner or Narelle Bassett.
Teams are created from individual names entered. This ensures that opponents are evenly matched and new players can easily find a team to play in. The competition organisers are looking at having two shorter seasons to hopefully suit the needs of the ladies playing.
Tuesday mens tennis
The Tuesday mens competition will begin on Tuesday, November 14. Organiser Ash Wheaton has commenced taking names and is keen to hear from any new players that might be interested in playing.
Entries are made individually with evenly matched teams created. The season runs until early March and is always great fun.
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 and this night will commence after the Melbourne Cup weekend.
Other times where anyone can simply sign-in on the day are Saturday at 1pm for all players, Tuesday morning commencing at 9.30am for ladies and Wednesday at 1pm for 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.