ST MICHAEL’S continued their undefeated start to the Central Wimmera Tennis Association pennant competition on Saturday.
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They comfortably defeated Haven at home, winning 11 sets and 115 games to Haven’s three sets and 61 games. All of St Michael’s’ set losses came in the men’s doubles.
St Michael’s captain Chris Ellis said the women again forged the foundations for victory, continuing a similar pattern to their previous five wins this season.
“As usual the girls were pretty strong for us, they won all their sets,” he said.
Ellis praised the efforts of Steffi and Jess McDonald, with the sisters powering to commanding singles wins.
Steffi defeated Haven captain Sophie De Wit 9-1, while Jess accounted for Skye Davis 9-0.
“The McDonald sisters haven’t lost a set this year. They are really important players for us,” Ellis said.
In the men’s singles, St Michael’s’ Ian Nitschke was triumphant against Haven’s Lachlan Punchard, winning 9-0.
Peter Hayes also notched up a solid set win for St Michael’s, only losing a single game against Tom Bourchier.
Ellis also congratulated Haven’s Edmund Bush, 14, for his efforts on the day.
“He is a really good young player and is really consistent,” Ellis said.
“He plays good ground strokes and has a big future in tennis.”
Haven captain Sophie De Wit said despite the loss, her side could see some clear improvement in their play.
“We know that we have improved since we last played St Michael’s, which was really pleasing. In a few sets we really pushed them, it was a good hit for us,” De Wit said.
De Wit applauded the efforts of Tim Officer, who played in each of Haven’s three mens doubles victories.
St Michael’s remain undefeated at the top of the table, while Haven’s second loss of the season sees them drop down to third, just behind Drung South.
Elsewhere, Drung South defeated Natimuk in front of a home crowd, winning 10 sets to Natimuk’s four.
Drung South captain Ben Brooksby said Natimuk provided a good challenge throughout the match.
“They put up a good fight. Their men played really well on the day, but their women got them the three sets,” he said.
Kate-Lyn Perkin had a solid day on court, winning one of her two doubles sets and playing out an exciting singles set against Natimuk’s Cheryl Sudholz, in which Perkin prevailed 9-3.
“Kate-Lyn and Cheryl tried to out-hit each other. It was really good to watch,” Brooksby said.
In Horsham, Kalkee put in a good performance to defeat Horsham Lawn, losing just three sets for the day and winning 117 games to Horsham Lawn’s 71.
Kalkee’s Jeff Friberg was in good form on the day, defeating Lawn’s Hayden Farlow 9-2 in their singles set. Friberg also recorded victories in both his doubles sets.
For Horsham Lawn, Jae McGrath was a shining light, winning his singles set against David Richardson 9-4.