One week after suffering its first loss of the season to Haven, St Michael’s returned to form with a full-strength side.

Drung South was up against it from the get go, with captain Ben Brooksby unavailable due to illness. 

Adam Troeth stepped in for Drung South and performed well to win his first two sets.  

The encounter started off fairly evenly, with St Michael’s’ women winning their opening four sets and Drung South taking three of the first four men’s sets. 

In the end, the heat took its toll on Drung South, with Troeth unable to complete his third set due to heat exhaustion. Emergency Alistair Brooksby had to take the court to avoid Drung South forfeiting the men’s doubles set.

Drung South’s Dylan Emmerson also toiled with the heat in an epic set against Peter Hayes. 

The set went down to the wire, with Hayes edging Emmerson 9-8 in a tiebreaker. 

Drung South captain Ben Brooksby said that set was great to watch.

“The set between Emmerson and Hayes was the highlight encounter of the day,” he said.

“They battled through the heat with Hayes just coming out on top in an epic set.”

In the end, St Michael’s, led by its women’s side that featured the unstoppable Steffi and Jess McDonald, were too good. They won 9-109 to 5-75.

“The Drung South ladies fell short on the day and came in second in all their sets,” Brooksby said.

“Some great tennis was played – St Michael’s just played better.” 

Drung South will now play Haven next week, who won its elimination semi-final against Kalkee on its home courts. 

Haven played well, with its young side coming away with a 10-108 to 4-83 win. 

Haven captain Sophie De Wit praised her teammates, with the side putting in a well-rounded team performance to come away with the win.

“It was a tough battle,” she said.

“There were a few tight sets, which we were able to win most of.”

The sides shared the spoils in the singles sets, with Haven’s Edmund Bush defeating David Richardson 9-7 and Skye Davis defeating Paula Wediermann 9-6.

Kalkee’s Jeff Friberg defeated youngster Lachlan Punchard 9-1, while teammate Melissa Beddison had the better of De Wit 9-5.

Ultimately, Haven was stronger in the doubles sets, with the team’s pairings working well together on the court.

“Everyone contributed by winning at least one set, which is an outstanding effort,” De Wit said.

“Everyone played well together and we are very happy to be able to get a win.”

St Michael’s will play the winner of Drung South and Haven in the grand final on March 24.