Section 1 - Wang Lawn booked their place in the decider with a convincing victory over Wang Hardcourt on Saturday.
The match was evenly poised after the first round of sets with both teams splitting the sets and Hardcourt were 2 games ahead.
On the crossover Lawn began to put some distance between themselves and Hardcourt by winning the next 3 sets and losing one in a tie break to take 5-3 set and a 6 game advantage into the mixed sets. With the result still in the balance, Lawn won the first 2 mixed sets to put the result beyond doubt while Hardcourt put some respectability on the scoreline winning the last 2 sets.
Lawn’s best were - Andrew Pyta, Shaun Ablazej, Janelle Hartwig and Wendy Hogan, Hardcourt were best served by Andy Lucas, Mario Pane, Denise Goodwin and Di Lucas.
Section 2 - Boorhaman have made history by winning on Saturday and advancing to the NERTA Grand Final for the first time, their efforts are similiar to “Steve Bradbury”.
As perennial cellar dwellers and given little or no chance of success in the finals by all the pundits, they have proved them all wrong.
Boorahman gained an early lead taking 3 of the first 4 sets which gave them the platform and confidence required to catapult them into the final.
Whenthey added another 3 of the next 4 sets Boorhaman were well and truly in command and only a minor miracle in the mixed sets would deny them a place on the big dance floor.
With the first 2 mixed sets going the way of Boorhaman, the excitement was evident and it took a little time for the consequences of the win to soak in.
Boorahaman had none better than Zave Talbot, Ian Maiden, Hayley Thomson and Merryn Byrne. Myrrhee’s best were Daniel Griffin, Phil Corker, Maria Pulvirenti, Di Griffin and Melissa Pinn.
Section 3 - Wahgunyah Blue (Adam Corcoran, Mareeta Corcoran, Jesse Johnstone, Andrew Palmer) convincingly defeated Wahgunyah United (Glen Boldan, Dylan Hewitt, Fiona Rose,Rob Hill) to path their way into the GF.
Wahgunyah Blue held sway all day but United were never far behind and only needed a little luck to reverse a couple of the close sets and then the contest would have been closer.
It was the calmness in the heat of battle that ensured Blue would advance to the Grand Final. Wahgunyah Blue’s Adam Corcoran was the difference between the 2 teams and he lead the Blue team victory while Rob Hill battled against injury and the odds to be United’s best.
Predictions
Section 1 - Corowa Red have been the form team all season but finals specialists Wang Lawn won’t be a pushover, the result should go to the wire but Corowa should prevail and finally break the stranglehold the Wangaratta teams have had on the GF trophy.
Section 2 - Boorhaman have advanced against all the odds but the experience and consistency of the Everton team will be too much this time and the dream of a fairytale finish by Boorahamn will be dashed next Saturday.
Section 3 - Wahgunyah Red have had one hand on the trophy all season with strong performances thoughout their campaign but Wahgunyah Blue have steadily improved over the season and will provide some stiff opposition for Red.
This match will be decided by player availability. Red home by 2 games.
Results - Preliminary Final
Section 1
Wang Lawn 7-82 def Wang Hardcourt 5-67.
Section 2
Boorhaman 8-79 def Myrrhee 4-69.
Section 3
Wahgunyah Blue 5-47 def Wahgunyah United 1-30.
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