ARARAT - The competition heated up literally on Saturday as players in round three of the Ararat City Tennis Club's summer pennant battled it out in very warm conditions.
Ladder leader Stan Hamilton and Sons retained top spot with a win over Christians Bus Co 7-80 to 4-73.
Monique Hargreaves hit her straps early for the winners, her energy and vivacity an asset to her partners.
Team mate Riley Hamilton was equally impressive, his increasing confidence evident in both his serving and rallying efforts.
Despite not being able to claim overall victory, Christians' top seed David Bohner earned the respect of opposition players all day, demonstrating his prowess in a number of skill areas.
The introduction of the top singles' players' contests has been a great success and is the highlight of the weekend event.
Stan Hamilton's Sam Gason had a tough battle on his hands when he took on Josh Matthews.
The singles' contest was a real slog fest, with both players happy to trade strong drive shots from their respective baselines.
Matthews was on form, however powerful serves and clever altering of pace were not enough to get him over the line and Gason held on to claim a one-game victory 9-8.
Ararat RSL bounced back from last week's loss to Stan Hamilton, recording a comfortable win over Spalding McCutcheon, 8-82 to 3-70.
Spalding McCutcheon's number one John Hamilton was surprised by the tenacity of less experienced opponent Jackson Bohner, who acquitted himself well all day for RSL.
Bohner has gained a lot of confidence since last season, backing his instincts and displaying great timing.
Bohner was well supported by both Justin Pelly and Greg Gason in the doubles' matches before going on to defeat Hamilton 9-6 in the singles' head-to-head.
Mark Helmich played well in his debut outing for RSL, taking out three wins for the afternoon.
Helmich will now be the permanent third player for RSL.
The strongest female player in the competition so far, Alison Burmester, was impressive again, winning two of her three sets for Spaldings.
Fellow player Jake Nyikos was also a stand out, his tricky left-handed serve troubling a lot of his opponents.
Nyikos teamed up with Caroline Matthews to claim victory in the mixed doubles and gave RSL a real run for its money in the men's matches.
Results
Stan Hamilton and Sons 7-80 d Christians Bus Co. 4-73
S Gason, P Dunn lost to D Bohner, J Matthews 7-9; W Gason, R Hamilton d A Drosg, J Jordan 9-2; S Gason, W Gason lost to D Bohner, A Drosg 6-9; P Dunn, R Hamilton d J Matthews, J Jordan 9-2; M Hargreaves, F Hillman d P White, R Wilksch 9-8; F Hillman, A Dunn d R Wilksch, A Hamilton 9-5; M Hargreaves, A Dunn d P White, A Hamilton 9-2; P Dunn, M Hargreaves lost to D Bohner, P White 1-9; W Gason, F Hillman lost to A Drosg, R Wilksch 3-9; R Hamilton, A Dunn d J Jordan, A Hamilton 9-1; S Gason d J Matthews 9-8.
Spalding McCutcheon 3-70 lost to Ararat RSL 8-82
J Hamilton, O Gason d J Bohner, J Pelly 6-9; J Nyikos, S Bohner lost to G Gason, M Helmich 7-9; J Hamilton, J Nyikos lost to J Bohner, G Gason 8-9; O Gason, S Bohner lost to J Pelly, M Helmich 4-9; A Burmester, C Matthews d A Driscoll, K Payne 9-2; C Matthews, D Fiscalini lost to K Payne, K Woodhams 2-9; A Burmester, D Fiscalini d A Driscoll, K Woodhams 9-6; O Gason, A Burmester lost to J Pelly, A Driscoll 5-9; J Nyikos, C Matthews d G Gason, K Payne 9-4; S Bohner, D Fiscalini lost to M Helmich, K Woodhams 5-9.
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