GMLTA backhands Albury challenge, blasts Bendigo in interleague tri-series

Reigning champion Numurkah had the most representatives swing the racquet with five, followed by current ladder leader Shepparton Lawn The Valley, which fielded four players on the lawn.

Across three rounds, the GMLTA interchanged opponents of Bendigo and Albury in doubles and singles formats.

The rounds had each club play two eight-rubber matches and one 12-rubber match; for the GMLTA, it would play Bendigo and Albury players four times respectively in each eight-rubber match and six times each in the second round’s 12-set match.

As for the results, it was a successful day for the racquet wielders from the Goulburn Valley, but not without its challenges.

On first glance, the GMLTA’s position atop the leaderboard following each round paints a picture of domination, but Albury ensured it didn’t come easy.

Round one went to the GMLTA 6-60 to 6-53 over Albury and 0-21 over Bendigo, equalling Albury on sets won, but pinching the overall result by its games tally.

Round two offered a near identical storyline despite the extended match, with GMLTA scoring 9-88 to Albury’s 8-82, with Bendigo far behind on 1-48.

With the sets ledger one apart and the GMLTA marginally ahead on the games tally, one final charge was required to secure the interleague title.

It was tense, but the GMLTA held firm.

The GMLTA won six of its eight round three rubbers, while Albury critically, and shockingly, dropped a set to Bendigo to see the GMLTA win the final round 6-52 to 5-52 for Albury, Bendigo trailing behind as expected, but with a series-determining scoreline of 1-44.

The final result was GMLTA winning the gold with a 21-200 score, Albury holding a scoreline of 19-187 and Bendigo 2-113.

Additionally, the women also played Bendigo independently and GMLTA exited Yarrawonga with a clean sweep, defeating the fellow country association 6-66 to 4-57.

In total, 60 representatives from the three competitions served up the Wilson ball across 22 courts in a huge showing of top class skills from regional Victoria and New South Wales.