TOP-of-the-table Nichols Point Legends will face Sacred Heart Guns in Saturday’s Sunraysia District Tennis Association division one grand final.
A six sets-to-four victory saw the Legends book their place in the decider over Sarnia Sloggers, while the mixed double results saw the Guns make it through against Red Cliffs Rebels.
The men had a very competitive day in the Nichols Point and Sarnia contest, finishing two sets a piece.
Joel Hamilton, of the Sloggers, competed in his 11th and 12th tiebreak sets of the season but unfortunately was not able to hang on against Legends’ Nathan Swaeney in a very entertaining and high-quality singles.
The Legends women proved too strong for their Sarnia rivals, only conceding 11 games in the singles and doubles combined.
Sarnia turned the tables in the mixed with wins of 8-2 and 8-3 and a stand out performance by Warren Searle (24/13), but it was too little, too late as the Legends took out the match 6 sets to 4 and booked their spot in this week’s grand final.
Sacred Heart have been building steadily throughout the season and fought a very tight battle with Red Cliffs.
The singles were one-sided affairs. Anthony DeMaria of Sacred Heart beat Rob Keens 8-2 but Leticia Ellis, from Red Cliffs, squared the ledger with an 8-2 win over Renee Affleck.
The intriguing styles of Paul Kealley and Keiran Mayes disrupted the usually steady Jack Wilson and Evan Newell, giving another set to the Rebels.
DeMaria stamped his authority when he returned to the court in the doubles, Sacred Heart winning the remaining sets 8-0 and 8-1.
The women’s doubles went 2-1 to Red Cliffs. Lisa and Eliza Hill had an 8-4 win over the determined pair of Leanne Jordan and Kerrie Lynch.
The second doubles between Ellis and Lisa Hill and Affleck and Jordan was the set of the day, the Sacred Heart pair taking it 8-7.
The final doubles saw another win to Red Cliffs which levelled the sets 4-4. Not for the first time this season, the result came down to the mixed and in two tension-packed sets, Sacred Heart were victorious, 8-6, 8-6.
It will be a full day of grand final tennis next Saturday at the Aero courts in Eleventh Street. Junior matches begin at 9am and Seniors at 1pm.
There are canteen facilities available and spectators are encouraged to come along and see some exciting matches as the 2023 winter season comes to a close.
SEMI final results from Saturday, Septebmer 2:
DIVISION 1
Nichols Point Legends 6(64) d Sarnia Sloggers 5(57) Warren Searle 24/13 (Sarnia), Heather Olofsson 24/10 (Nichols Point).
Sacred Heart Guns 6(60) d Red Cliffs Rebels 4(56) Anthony Demaria 24/3 (Sacred Heart)
DIVISION 2
Sacred Heart Starters 8(70) d Nichol Point Pointers 1(51) Matt Mandica 24/19, Tess Robinson 24/13, Jen Gathercole 24/13 (Sacred Heart).
Alcheringa All Stars 5(55) d St Andrews Spartans 4(52) Jeremy Giddings 24/16, David Walker 24/10 (Alcheringa), Sue Hardie 24/11 (St Andrews).
DIVISION 3
Nichols Point Diamonds 8(67) d Wentworth Wascals 1(32) Andrews Carlson 24/4, Geoff John 24/8, Corina O’Callaghan 24/7, Leanne Affleck 24/8 (Nichols Point).
Nichols Point Stayers 5(58) d Alcheringa Almighties 4(50) Stacey Leaver 24/7 (Nichols Point).
DIVISION 4
Sacred Heart Braves 8(70) d Alcheringa Alfrescoes 1(32) John Compton 24/6, Lucy Mitchem 24/14, Jen Fox 24/5, Bec Newell 24/13 (Sacred Heart).
Kenny Park Magpies 6(64) d Nichols Point DI’s 3(40)
Steve Bennett 24/6, Mandy Bone 24/9 (Kenny Park).
JUNIOR semi final results:
A GRADE
Mixed Team 24 d Sarnia Blue 15
Sacred Heart 18 d Sarnia Red 9
B1 GRADE
Sacred Heart Blue 36 d Mixed Team 14
Sacred Heart Gold 28 d Red Cliffs 25
B2 GRADE
Sacred Heart 36 d Wentworth 7
Sarnia 27 d Mixed Team 23
C GRADE
C1: Red Cliffs 16 d Sacred Heart 11
C2: Wentworth 18 d St Andrews Blue 13
D GRADE
Wentworth Red 18 d Sacred Heart 4
Red Cliffs Red 15 d Wentworth Blue 12
Grand final draw to be played at Aero Ovals:
Players are reminded that play is to commence at 1pm and all warm ups should be conducted prior to the start time. Balls will be supplied by the SDTA.
DIVISION 1
Nichols Point Legends v Sacred Heart Guns
DIVISION 2
Sacred Heart Starters v Alcheringa All Stars
DIVISION 3
Nichols Point Diamonds v Nichols Point Stayers
DIVISION 4
Sacred Heart Braves v Kenny Park Magpies
Juniors
Grand final draw to be played at Aero Ovals:
A GRADE
Sacred Heart v Mixed Team
B1 GRADE
Sacred Heart Blue v Sacred Heart Gold
B2 GRADE
Sacred Heart v Sarnia
C GRADE
C1: Sarnia v Red Cliffs
C2: St Andrews White v Wentworth
D GRADE
Wentworth Red v Red Cliffs Red
