Rutherglen started as raging red hot favourites for the Section 1 premiership but after the first 3 sets Rutherglen were looking shaky and starting to look downcast as Corowa won the first 3 sets, and it looked as though an upset was on the cards.
As all good teams do, Corowa rallied and won the next 3 sets to tie up the match before the mixed sets and hold a 1 game advantage.
The complexion of the match changed dramatically when Scott Fancis and Helen Fuge won 8-0 and once again there was a spring in the step of the Rutherglen team and the smiles returned to their faces but the match was not done.
Darrell and Marianne Spencer levelled the set count with an 8-3 victory for Corowa but unfortunately the glimmer of hope was short lived and dashed by Lindsay Seymour and Sarah Rae who put the icing on the cake for the Rutherglen win.
Rutherglen’s best were Lindsay Seymour (3 sets), Scott Francis and Sarah Rae.
For Corowa Marianne Spencer (3 sets), Darrell Spencer and Jo Brooks were their best.
The teams
Rutherglen - Tasanee James, Helen Fuge, Sheree Coghill/Sarah Rae, Jono Keys, Scott Francis and Lindsay Seymour.
Corowa - Marianne Spencer, Jo Brooks, Claire Davidson, Darrell Spencer, Peter Filliponi and Greg Filliponi.
Section 2
Hardcourt Pinkerton started favourites in the Section 2 final but after the teams were disclosed Myrrhee shortened and were a definite threat to take the mantle away from Hardcourt.
If there were any nerves with the youthful Hardcourt team it didn't show as they won the first 2 sets in convincing fashion.
Myrrhee hit back straight away to level up proceedings by winning the next 2. Hardcourt then found some composure and won the next 2 sets to ensure a thrilling finish.
As the day wore on it appeared that the heat was beginning to take its toll on the experienced Myrrhee team.
The scores before the mixed were Hardcourt 4-38 to Myrrhee 2-35, which meant Myrrhee must find something special in the remaining sets to overhaul the Hardcourt lead.
Dylan Van Berlo and Dianne Griffin won 8-5 for Myrrhee but it was quickly countered by the enthusiastic Henry Dean and Matilda Dean (8-3).
With 1 set to play Myrrhee needed a win by 8-2 to force a super tiebreak and the pressure was on. Hardcourts Ray Munari and Mia Mitchell started shakily and found themselves behind 1-4 and things were looking good for Myrrhee.
After some long rallies and a number of deuces Hardcourt managed to win the important points to win the necessary amount of games to ensure a Hardcourt win.
Hardcourt’s best were Matilda Dean (3 sets), Henry Dean and Cris Lestino. For Myrrhee Cathy Van Berlo, Di Griffin and Dylan Van Berlo were their best.
The teams
Harcourt Pinkerton - Marika Van Stekelenburg, Matilda Dean, Mia Mitchell, Henry Dean, Cris Lestino and Ray Munari.
Myrrhee - Di Griffin, Robyn Oliver, Cathy Van Berlo, Dylan Van Berlo, Daniel Griffin and Phil Corker.
Section 3
Wahgunyah Wahnation were expected to win the Section 3 flag and they started confidently against Wahgunyah United winning the first 2 sets in comfortable fashion to set up a handy lead which United never managed to make an impression on.
Wahnation won the points that mattered after many long-prolonged rallies. The teams were evenly matched but Wahnation’s ability to win the important points told in the finish and they ran out comfortable winners.
The teams
Wahgunyah Wahnation - Ollie Struve, Kane Palmer, Jack Reid and Andrew Palmer.
Wahgunyah United - Dave Harris, Brad Schmidt, Brian Jones and Matt Davis.
Grand Final Results
Section 1 - Rutherglen 5-55 def Corowa 4-43.
Section 2 - Hardcourt Pulvirenti 5-55 def Myrrhee 4-53.
Section 3 - Wahgunyah Wahnation 4-45 def Wahgunyah United 2-33.
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