Eager to continue its momentum from its round one win over Velvet Tigers, Echuca Lawn came into this clash on its home court confident it could make it two-from-two to begin the season.
Number one James Curtis-McDonald got the ball rolling for Tropics, claiming the first men’s singles rubber 8-3, before the home side hit back with a comfortable 8-4 triumph in the second, courtesy of David Starling.
A tight 8-7 win for Matt Carroll in the third and a blow-out 8-0 triumph for Jeremy O’Brien in the fourth handed Tropics a crucial early advantage, before the sides split the two women’s rubbers courtesy of an 8-7 win to Hope Curtis-McDonald (Tropics) and an 8-6 win to Genevieve Bush (Echuca Lawn).
Desperately needing to make up ground in the doubles, Echuca Lawn managed to get itself back into the contest as Brooke Starling partnered Bush to deliver the home side a crucial 8-1 triumph.
However, the class and experience of the Tropics would come to the fore in the final two mixed doubles rubbers, with the duo of James and Hope Curtis-McDonald (8-3) and Jeremy O’Brien and Darcy Curtis-McDonald picking up crucial victories to ensure the visitors came away winners.
Velvet Tigers claimed their first win of the season with a dominant 9-85 to 3-54 win over Shepparton Lawn Phoenix Suns.
Winning all bar one of the singles rubbers, the Nathalia-based Tigers took the ascendancy early and never let up in a dominant performance led by the likes of Cody George and Hugo Kearney.
The final GM1 match-up saw Rich River Rebels flex their muscles with a commanding 9-83 to 3-63 win over Shepparton Lawn Average Joes, pushing the former to the top of the ladder.
GM2 action was headlined by a thrilling encounter between Dhurringile and Stanhope at the Dhurringile tennis courts, with the visitors saluting 6-67 to 5-59.
After falling 6-1 in the opening singles rubber, Stanhope quickly took control of the contest with 6-2 wins to Corey Browne and Jinaya Nurse.
The sides traded blows for the remainder of the contest, setting up a do-or-die doubles match in the 11th and final rubber, where Stephen Browne and Tanesha Nurse teamed up to deliver their side a crucial 8-1 victory.
Other winners in the GM2 were Avenel, Shepparton Lawn Blues, Shepparton Lawn Pelicans and Cobram Crocs.
Over in GM3 East, Kyabram Redbacks enjoyed a convincing 9-87 to 4-69 win over Nathalia.
William Worsford was the stand-out performer, coming away victorious in all three of his match-ups from the number one position.
Tatura Tornados found themselves winning all the big moments in their 11-89 to 2-68 triumph over Shepparton Coyotes, with seven of the 11 rubbers decided by three games or less.
GM3 West action saw Nathalia scrape over the line with a 8-81 to 6-66 win against Kyabram Bombers, Tatura Storm got the better of Tongala 8-78 to 5-68 and Kyabram Redbacks easily accounted for Tatura Hurricanes 10-92 to 3-63.
In the GM4 competition, Cobram Crickets and Kialla Park Blue fought out a thrilling contest, with the latter just getting the edge to win 5-63 to 4-51.
Dhurringile was too good for Tatura Lightning, saluting with a 6-64 to 3-50 win, while Tongala closed out round three action with a workmanlike 6-63 to 3-50 win over Numurkah Ravens.
