Jacqui Ralph prepares for a return
ADTA - Buangor has set itself up for a big showing in this season's Ararat and District Tennis Association finals series with a convincing win over Ararat in the final round of the home and away season.
The matched was dubbed a 'dead rubber' as both teams couldn't move any higher or lower than second and third place on the ladder.
However, this didn't stop the fierce rivalry both Buangor and Ararat has grown over this season, with this match full of excitement.
The ladies fought out a classic four sets and with the help of inclusion Gen Rameka, Buangor was able to scrape in a two game buffer.
Buangor's men also stamped their authority on the match, proving too strong for Ararat and adding another nine games to the tally.
Marcus and Josh Matthews were all spark as they won their third set of the day, guiding their team to a lifting 15 game victory.
For Ararat it was the 'ring-ins', Alison Burmester and Lisa Haddow, who were the best performers, while Alex Drosg found his feet again this week in the maximum point's loss.
Minor premiers Crowlands finished its home and away season off on a high note with demolition of Great Western.
The home side bulldozed through the tail-enders to record the massive 76 game victory, ending any chance of the side cracking prior to finals.
Crowlands dropped just one set along the way, won by Great Western's Lugg and Legget combination in the ladies.
Paul Vance gave his younger opponent a tennis lesson, but also had the helping hands of Keith Boatman and Hayden Price around him as the Crowlands men showed it was unstoppable.
The 22 game lead soon extended to 47 games prior to the mixed, with now 18 year old Claire Hodgetts and Julia Boatman firing.
As much as stand in man Justin Rathgeber tried for Great Western it wasn't enough as the premiership favourites ran away easy winners.
The attempt to play on Friday night backfired for Elmhurst and Landsborough, with the game a washed out after storms hit the region.
Results
Crowlands 106-10 def Great Western 30-0
Men, Crowlands 36-2 def Great Western 14-0: P Vance, K Boatman def J Potter, D Potter 9-2; H Price, B Boatman def J Alexander, J Rathgeber 9-4; P Vance, H Price def J Potter, J Alexander 9-2; K Boatman, B Boatman def D Potter, J Rathgeber 9-6.
Ladies, Crowlands 34-2 def Great Western 9-0: C Hodgetts, J Boatman def K Kindred, A Bullock 9-0; J Price, A Hodgetts lost to H Lugg, J Legget 7-9; C Hodgetts, J Price def K Kindred, H Lugg 9-0; J Boatman, A Hodgetts def A Bullock, J Legget 9-0.
Mixed, Crowlands 36-2 def Great Western 7-0: P Vance, C Hodgetts def K Kindred, J Potter 9-0; K Boatman, J Boatman def D Potter, A Bullock 9-2; H Price, J Price def J Alexander, H Lugg 9-1; B Boatman, A Hodgetts def J Rathgeber, S Legget 9-4.
Ararat 77-0 lost to Buangor 92-10
Men, Ararat 21-0 lost to Buangor 30-2: S Gason, O Gason lost to J Matthews, M Matthews 3-9; R Hamilton, A Drosg def D Dyer, M Adams 9-3; S Gason, R Hamilton lost to J Matthews, D Dyer 1-9; O Gason, A Drosg lost to M Matthews, M Adams 8-9.
Ladies, Ararat 27-0 lost to Buangor 29-2: C Harricks, A Burmester def A Driscoll, L Maconachie 9-6; S Ralph, L Haddow lost to S Maconachie, G Rameka 4-9; C Harricks, J Ralph lost to A Driscoll, G Rameka 5-9; A Burmester, L Haddow def L Maconachie, S Maconachie 9-5.
Mixed, Ararat 29-0 lost to Buangor 33-2: S Gason, C Harricks lost to M Matthews, A Driscoll 8-9; O Gason, A Burmester lost to D Dyer, S Maconachie 7-9; R Hamilton, J Ralph lost to J Matthews, G Rameka 5-9; A Drosg, L Haddow def M Adams, L Maconachie 9-6.
Landsborough v Elmhurst - Wash out
Ladder: Crowlands 121 (%), 119 (pts); Ararat 132, 98; Buangor 126, 96; Elmhurst 101, 61; Landsborough 64, 45; Great Western 74, 29.
