Yarrawonga Tennis Club hosted the Victorian Seniors Grass Court Championship from Friday through to Monday. This tournament has become engrained in the Seniors calendar and is viewed as a very prestigious event to win.
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With restrictions relating to COVID-19 the tournament was unable to accept overseas players which they have in the past. Having said that it was great to see around 150 players from throughout Australia playing.
Tennis Victoria Tournaments Manager Andy Reynolds was in attendance and was in awe of the facility. After two inches of rain in the days leading into the tournament there were concerns that the tournament would have been delayed.
Yarrawonga’s groundsman Warwick Henderson and Rob Payne ensured the courts were in superb condition and play started on time as planned.
The calibre of the tennis was first class with a senior considered to be over the age of 35.
This was highlighted by the appearance of Glen Busby. Glen is ranked number one in the World for the 60+ age group. To have a world number one playing in Yarrawonga is a very special moment. It was humorous to see the Saturday morning juniors ask Glen to vacate the courts so they could use them.
Local John Brunner equipped himself well against outstanding competition. His team was leading his division of the 55+ doubles before his partner had to withdraw. In singles he made the third round.
Saturday Juniors
Tennis Victoria officials were very impressed with the nearly 200 kids that took part in the Saturday morning program. From an organisers perspective it was great to see the courts filled once again after a few disrupted weeks.
The Hot Shots and coaching groups continue to improve and it is terrific to see so many new players to the club enjoying themselves.
Parental involvement is vital and the coaches are very appreciative of this ensuring more balls can be hit. It is fantastic to see new faces still enrolling in the programs. Also, as the players gain confidence the movement either up to coaching or into match play ensures the player pathway is progressive.
The matches were cut slightly short due to the Seniors Tournament using the courts from 10.30am. Testimony to the improvement in the kids, it was anticipated most matches would have been finished by this time.
When the players were asked to leave the courts, most groups still had not completed their allocated three sets.
Group winners on the day for singles players were Jai Sneddon, Tahdg Foran, Lara Angwin, Hayley Bennett and Emily Linehan.
For the players in the doubles section the group winners were Elli Buerckner, Grace Foran, Milla Kelly, Harry Wren, Wally Hammon, Ollie Matthews, Summer Ibbott and Billie Buerckner.
Players competing in match play are reminded that they must sign in by 8.55 a.m. If you are going to be late please let Jason Bassett know. With so many kids playing, late arrivals causes unnecessary challenges for the organisers.
Wilby and District Tennis Association
On Friday night Burramine travelled out to take on the renamed Tungamah Guinea Pigs. Tungamah were dominate winning all 6 sets with Josh Buerckner, Tom Wren, Luke Buerckner and Tim Cooper proving they are going to be hard to beat.
In the ladies division Burramine were victorious winning 4 sets to 2. Youngster Tess Bassett was the player of the night winning all 3 sets with Narelle Bassett and Kirsty Skene also having 2 wins. For Tungamah Kylie Buerckner was the best with 2 sets.
Tungamah made a clean sweep of the mixed winning all 4 sets. Overall the Guinea Pigs won the night 6 points to 2.
Mulwala Gold played Savernake at Mulwala. Mulwala’s men proved too strong on the night winning 5 sets to 1. For Mulwala both Mark Wallace and Sean Robinson won all their sets whilst Lachlan Orr and Mark Monjonell won 2 sets.
In the ladies the score line was the same but this time Savernake were the winners. For Savernake Angelique Bruce and Georgie Bruce both won 3 sets and teammates Norma Toms and Chantelle Gorman won 2. This meant the winner on the day was determined by the winner of the mixed.
In a very close battle Savernake were victorious winning 3 sets to 1. Overall on the day Savernake won 9 sets to 7 and 5 more games indicating many great battles. Savernake 6 points to 2.
Telford hosted Mulwala Maroon in the final Friday night clash. Telford’s mean continued their recent good form with a 6 sets to 0 win. Jason Partelle, Craig Stevenson, Andrew Banks and Stuart Bond each won all their matches.
The ladies contest was very even with the teams splitting the sets 3 all. Chris Hawkins and Kylie James for Telford and Vanessa Norman and Sheryl Phibbs for Mulwala all won 2 sets. Telford finished the night strongly to take all 4 mixed sets. Telford winning the night 8 points to 0.
Wilby moved their clash Saturday afternoon with Tungamah Gold to Tungamah after the week’s heavy rain deemed their top soil too wet. In the mens section Wilby won 5 sets to 1 with Mike Lairson and Anthony Hammon winning all 3 of their sets. Youngsters Thomas Lawrence and Taijan Ussher claimed the sole set for Tungamah Gold.
In the ladies Tungamah Gold came out on top as they won 4 sets to 2 although there were some extremely close matches. For Tungamah Gold Debbie Hayes, Chelsea Sidebottom, Zade Ussher and Nate Dickins each won 3 sets. Wilby rounded out the mixed doubles claiming all 4 sets. Wilby claiming the day 6 points to 2. Clearly the highlight was the fact that there were 5 kids under 14 playing.
The ladder after round 3 is Wilby 22, Telford 22, Savernake 18, Tungamah Green 18, Tungamah Guinea Pigs 16, Mulwala Maroon 11, Mulwala Gold 11 and Burramine 10.
This week Mulwala Gold will play Burramine, Savernake will host Mulwala Maroon and Telford will take on Wilby. The highlight of the round will be Friday night on the Boosey Creek where the Tungamah teams will play each other. This will be the final round in 2021.
Tuesday Mens
Unfortunately, the Thursday Mens competition was impacted with consistent rain. Some teams decided to play on whilst others decided that the conditions were a bit wet under foot. It was noted that those that finished early were still the last to leave the premises.
Korda defeated Becker 4 sets to 2. Best for Korda was young gun Jack Bassett winning 3 sets and he was well supported by Tim O’Dwyer and Jason Partelle who each won 2 sets. For Becker fill-in Daniel Herrod claimed 2 sets.
Safin defeated Wilander 4 sets to 2. Best on court was new player Matt McLachlan taking out 3 sets whilst his Safin teammates James Loughnan and Brad Mouat both won 2 sets. For Wilander their star was fill-in Andrew Beggs
In the match of the night Courier and Johansson had a great hit with many close matches and eventually both teams won 3 sets. Courier won on countback by 5 games. Fill-in Brady Pritchard demonstrated his class to win all 3 sets whilst for Johansson Shane Forge, Scott Jacques and John Wright each won 2 sets.
The ladder after Round 3 is Agassi 19, Djokovic 17, Korda 14, Nadal 14, Lendl 13, Sampras 13, Wilander 12, Saffin 12, Federer 10, Johansson 10, Courier 9, Wawrinka 6 and Becker 5.
Thursday Ladies
The Thursday Ladies competition were unable to play as consistent rain ensured the courts were under water. A better forecast is predicted for this week.
Wednesday Social Fast Four
The third week of the Social Fast Four competition produced some great tennis and some ordinary tennis but most importantly the courts were filled with laughter. Due to the first week being cancelled the competition will be extended until this Wednesday.
As usual there were many highlights with the match between Kirsten Leary and Andrew Brew’s teams producing some electrifying tennis. This match nearly required the lights as it went for that long. The Hardman team continues to win the award for best dressed with matching t-shirts indicating their allegiance to the canoe club.
The family involvement is very impressive each week. Players from the Skehan, Hardman, Mansfield, Lewis, Bodycoat, Nolen, Vodusek, Leary, Whiteley, Schweda, Thwaites and Bassett families all made up teams.
It was also heard the Bailey Brear had a major reality check in relation to his tennis ability when he was faced with the class of Dale Ballantyne.
Goulburn Murray Tennis Association
Numurkah established themselves on the top of the Division 1 ladder with a strong win over one of the Shepparton teams.
Yarrawonga players Jack Bassett played very consistently to win all of his matches for the day.
After a strong doubles win Grant Chappell lost a rare singles match. In Division 2, Lucy Bassett won her singles match and lost doubles. Her team also had a strong win.
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 continued last Friday. The players in attendance enjoyed a social hit. This Friday night, arrive just before 6pm and enjoy a relaxed competition catering for all standards.
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 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.