Section 1
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Corowa Blue have booked themselves a place in the Grand Final with a victory over Wang Hardcourt at the HP Barr Reserve on Saturday.
The day started disastrously for Hardcourt when they fell behind Corowa early and were forced to play catch up tennis for the rest of the day.
After losing the first 4 sets Hardcourt had all but handed Corowa their place in the Grand Final but as all good teams do, they rallied and began to put some scoreboard pressure on Corowa with 2 convincing wins.
With only the mixed sets left the equation for Hardcourt was simple, win the 3 mixed sets and force a super tie break and on paper this was a possibility and initially it looked a reality as Corowa were starting to wobble.
Hardcourt lead early in all 3 mixed sets and when Denise Goodwin and Andy Lucas won 8-3 Hardcourt were on a roll and Corowa were beginning to panic as Hardcourt seemed to have control of the 2 remaining sets.
Peter Filliponi and Helen Fuge put the result beyond doubt for Corowa as they regained their composure and finished over the top of their opponents and the icing on the cake came when Darrell Spencer and Claire Davidson won.
Denise Goodwin and Andy Lucas were the standouts for Hardcourt and when they teamed with Di Lucas and Chris Lucas they managed to put the pressure back onto Corowa.
Darrell Spencer (3 sets) and Helen Fuge (3 sets) were unstoppable all day and when Claire Davidson and Peter Filliponi chipped in with a couple Corowa were always in control.
Section 2
The Section 2 finals specialists Everton Blue have finally lost their luster as they were unable to sustain enough pressure on Myrrhee early and with their tails up and confidence running high Myrrhee put a huge gap between themselves and Everton.
Myrrhee won the first 5 sets convincingly to put the match beyond the reach of Everton and with the pressure valve released Myrrhee began to coast and allowed Everton to put some respectability on the scoreboard.
Myrrhee never looked like relinquishing the lead, as Di Griffin, Robyn Oliver, Dylan Van Berlo, Daniel Griffin, Cath Van Berlo and Phil Corker were hellbent on winning and having another crack at Wahgunyah Red next week.
The signs weren’t good for Everton early in the week, as they organised their end of season dinner for last Saturday! A bad omen.
Myrrhees’ was a team effort but Cathy Van Berlo was a clear cut above the rest with 3 sets while
Everton’s Russell Bennett, Noel Kneebone, San Bennett and Coralie Peters battled against the odds.
Section 3
Wahgunyah Red (Andrew Palmer, Wayne Johnstone, Peter Trebley, Kane Palmer) have advanced to the Grand Final after defeating Wahgunyah United (Brad Scmidt, Dave Harris, Rob Hill, Matt Davis) on Saturday.
Red were a little shaky early and played nervous tennis which allowed United into the match but once the nerves had been shaken off and they had regained their composure, Red took control and showed why they were the top team for most of the year.
Red ran away to be clear winners but to United’s credit they fought to the end and pushed Red all the way.
Grand Final Predictions
Section 1 - Corowa Blue have been the form team all year and only stumbled last week but have redeemed themselves this week and will start slight favourites at home against Wang Lawn.
Never underestimate Lawn as they are proven finals campaigners and will provide a contest to the end. Corowa Blue to win the super tiebreak.
Section 2 - It would a brave person to bet against Wahgunyah Red they have been invincible all year and have dispatched all teams with relative ease and it is hard to see Myrrhee changing this this week.
If Myrrhee are to challenge Wahgunyah they will need to perform at their best but if they can win a couple of early sets the wheels might fall off Wahgunyah’s little Red wagon.
Section 3 - The Wahgunyah Blue Vs Wahgunyah Red will be an interesting match as results have been split during the season and only recently have Blue gained the upper hand and held the bragging rights. This will go right to the wire and possibly the match could be decided at the selection table Red to win.
Results
Section 1: Corowa Blue 6-59 def Wang Hardcourt 3-50.
Section 2: Myrrhee 6-60 def Everton Blue 3-42.
Section 3: Wahgunyah Red 5-44 def Wahgunyah United 1-28.