HAVEN has missed out on a potential top-two finish in the Central Wimmera Tennis Association’s pennant competition this season, after going down in a close encounter to Kalkee.
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Heading into the tie, Haven required a victory to remain in touch with second-placed Drung South, and set up an enthralling finish to the regular season.
Kalkee had other plans, and ensured they were not just making up numbers in the competition.
It was a close match, with both Haven and Kalkee each winning seven sets, meaning the match was decided on games.
The two teams traded blows the entire day, with no team managing to open up a lead of more than one set.
The experienced Jeff Friberg was in solid form for Kalkee throughout the contest.
He won his singles set against youngster Edmund Bush 9-4, as well as playing in two doubles sets victories.
Steve Schultz ensured Kalkee took out both men’s singles sets, as he defeated Lachlan Punchard 9-5.
Haven bounced back in the women’s singles, with captain Sophie De Wit defeating Kalkee’s Melissa Beddison 9-4.
Skye Davis then defeated Kalkee’s Paula Weidermann 9-5 to keep the two sides neck and neck.
Heading into the final two sets and it was still anyone’s match.
Kalkee’s doubles pairings of Steve Schultz and David Pipkorn ensured Haven would have to mount a remarkable comeback in the last set of the day if they were any chance of winning. Schultz and Pipkorn smashed Punchard and Mark McGennisken 9-0 in the second-last set of the match.
Haven’s Davis and Kirby Knight won the final set against Weidermann and Debbie Lawson, but the scoreline of 9-7 was not enough to make up the games deficit. Kalkee now sit just one game behind Haven in fourth place.
Haven’s loss opened the door for Drung South to secure second spot on the ladder, and they did just that with a win against Horsham Lawn.
Drung South won 10 sets and 117 games to defeat Lawn who won four sets and 77 games.
The win takes Drung South’s advantage in second spot to two games over Haven, and with a superior percentage they have all but consolidated top spot in the competition.
Top side St Michael’s did what they have done all season to teams, thrashing Natimuk at the weekend.
St Michael’s won all but one set in the encounter, and dropped just 30 games.
Natimuk remain on the bottom of the table.
