LBU falls just short of Echuca 3

By Matthew Kappos

Oct 28, 2024

Lois Toohey broke the drought for LBU, partnering with Melissa Haines to snap a six-set losing streak for the visiting side. Photos: Aidan Briggs

Lockington-Bamawm United has been downed by Echuca 3 in a tight contest at Echuca Lawn Tennis Club.

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The Campaspe Tennis Association tie saw Echuca jump out to a huge lead before LBU came roaring back, falling marginally short in the 6-75 to 7-81 result.

Echuca was rolling early as Ryan More and Hudson Jasper each picked up singles wins in the opening exchanges.

LBU’s Paul Condliffe chases one down to his right. Photo by Aidan Briggs

It was five in a row for Echuca after all three men’s doubles ties went the home side’s way, with Jasper and More featuring again, along with Steve Rawlings and Josh Boyd.

The streak ticked over to six sets in the opening women’s doubles before LBU finally got on the board, Lois Toohey and Melissa Haines’ 8-4 victory sparking a run of its own from the visitors, who claimed the remaining three women’s doubles.

Ian Haines plays defensively for LBU. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Echuca earned its crucial seventh set to kick off the mixed doubles segment, and although LBU claimed the final three sets, it fell marginally short on the final set and game tally.

In the other fixture of the round, Echuca 2 piled the pressure on former champion Echuca 1, prevailing 10-88 to 3-53 to hand 1 a second loss to start the year.

LBU’s Melissa Haines won all three of her sets against Echuca 3. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Rochester had the bye, causing it to fall below unbeaten Echuca 2 on the overall table, while LBU leads Echuca 1 on differential at the foot of the ladder.

Current middle child Echuca 3 will sit out next weekend while Rochester will take on Echuca 2 in a top-of-the-table clash at Rochester Lawn Tennis Club.

Either LBU or Echuca 1 will claim its first win of the year as the two sides face off at Lockington-Bamawm United Tennis Club.

Echuca’s Josh Boyd employs the overhead. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Division two

In division two, LBU had better luck against Echuca, defeating Echuca 5 8-67 to 5-55.

After Echuca took the two singles rubbers, LBU reeled off six straight sets to gain a firm grasp over the tie.

Echuca chipped away at the LBU lead, but the visitor held firm, with James Brentnall and Chelseas Newton closing out the match 7-5 in the final set.

Echuca’s Hudson Jasper executes a groundstroke. Photo by Aidan Briggs

In the remaining match-up, Elmore was narrowly denied its first win of the year, finishing level on games but one down on sets, 6-57 to 7-57, against Echuca 4.

In a game of one-sided sets, it wasn’t until the mixed doubles that a match went closer than 6-3, but Echuca stood tall in both those ties and did exactly enough to escape with the win.

Rochester 2 had the bye.