Club president Hilary Porter was delighted with the increased nominations for the spring comp, up by about 20 players from last season, and especially pleased with the increase in female players.
Porter took time to thank those who stepped up and assisted with the recent Smashing Souvlaki stall at the Ute Muster, including members and supporters of both the tennis club and the Deniliquin Croquet Club.
She said the club again presented itself well while ensuring everyone had plenty of fun along the way.
The club didn’t sell out, but it again proved a successful effort and continues the proud tradition of the Club’s fundraising activities, which have been running at the Ute Muster since 1999.
When it came to play, most players were rusty from their winter layoff ... but not Riley Hamilton and Rob Wettenhall.
Wettenhall pounded the tennis ball at Hamilton for it to be returned with top spin in their three sets. Wettenhall won the contest two sets to one.
Georgia and Hayley Denny also showed that their practice matches before the comp set them both up for strong performances. While Georgia won two sets to one, the games were 15 each.
Peppin Planners played Mitre 10, with the hardware mob getting off to a strong start by winning seven of the first eight sets in round one.
For Planners, it was a slog for the last two rounds to get back into the match.
They just about got there, but eventually went down 14 sets to 12.
Interestingly, the game score was Mitre 10 108 games to Peppin 120 games.
Mitre 10 had three players winning their three sets - Jack Eastman, Mary James and Hamish Baker.
Deni Newsagency played Legal Eagles in a match that resulted in many more three set winners.
The final score was 18 sets and 143 games to Eagles’ nine sets 106 games.
For Newsagency, Stephen Baker, Brad Aitken, George Pisasale, Steph Calder and Georgia Moody were three set winners.
For Eagles James Hermiston, Steve Lowry and George Kenney-Herbert won their three sets.
Particularly notable was father and son Stephen and Hamish Baker both winning three set in different matches!
Stephen has returned after a lengthy layoff with injury.
Somewhere in the future their teams will play against each other - their captains might be able to line them up perhaps.
The weather looks set for a warm evening this Wednesday.
It will be a welcome change from last week, so the club looks forward to seeing you all there.
~ contributed by Clive Gow
