McEwen Reserve Opal came out swinging in its first match of the Pennant-A1 campaign to record a resolute 7-48 to 2-39 win against Lemnos at home on Friday night.
There were no cobwebs on Tim Comer’s racquet as he played a hand in Opal’s first winning rubbers of the match, combining with Justin Hunter and Ben Ladson to give his side an early advantage, while the latter pair worked together to make it three sets to none.
However, Lemnos' women rallied in the women’s doubles, with trio Bridget Jeffery, Julie McClelland and Jill Guerra hitting their straps to salvage two sets, but the mixed doubles rubbers proved to be the downfall of the visitors as Opal finished strong to snatch victory away from Lemnos’ grasp.
At Karramomus, a see-sawing affair left McEwen Reserve White with some work to do in the final rubbers, but the visitors knuckled down to push through in the mixed doubles and run away with four points.
Building a strong foundation with a clean sweep in the men’s ties, the travelling side faltered with pair Kathleen Davies and Sarah Titchmarsh notching the only win in the women’s rubbers, but a strong showing in the mixed doubles dragged White over the line at the death.
Reigning premier Shepparton North barely looked like it had had a day off after clinching victory against Old Students at home in a repeat of last season's electric grand final.
Students had the rub of the green in the men’s rubbers, but some industrious tennis by the Northerners women had the side cruise to a two-set lead ahead of the mixed doubles.
The hosts defied a late charge hold on for a 5-42 to 4-35 win.
Elsewhere, a forfeit from Kialla Park meant Central Park picked up its easiest points of the year, while St Brendan's had the bye.
12°C