Round 1 of the Stawell Tennis Club Friday night autumn competition featured one result that hung in the balance until the final set of the night.
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In contrast, the other was effectively over before the barbecue tea was dished up.
Crowe Horvath won a thriller against Farrers Tyrepower, with captains Blair Hart and Sue Blakey digging deep in the night’s final set, coming back from 5-1 down to win the match 8-6 and ensuring Crowe Horvath won by just four games,15 sets 167 games to 12 sets 163 games. Zayne Hall was outstanding for the victors, winning all three sets and had a strong supporting cast led by up and coming youngster Jonah O'Shannessy and new to the club, Patrick Clancy.
Farrers Tyrepower’s women battled hard to keep their noses in front, with Maddi Rickard – in her first season back from a lengthy hiatus away from the game – in ominous form early in the year, winning all three in convincing fashion.
The powerfully built Angus Williams also stood tall for Farrers with a couple of solid wins, but it wasn't quite enough on opening night.
Frewstal flexed its muscles and sent an early warning to the rest of the competition making light work of David O Jones Mitre 10, running out winners 18 sets 180 games to 9 sets 151 games. Frewstal flew out of the blocks, taking out the first seven sets, and from then on just went through the motions for the emphatic victory.
President Nathan Baker, Brae Scantleton, Sandy Kellas, Cameron Hancock, Seth Blake and Kasey Mornane were all in fantastic early touch, not dropping a set between them.
Youngster Neve O'Shannessy fought hard for David O'Jones Mitre 10 winning all sets, while it wasn't the return Sam Reading had envisaged after plying his trade out at Wallalloo for the past 20 years, going down in all three, but he will certainly be better for the run.
This week, Crowe Horvath will battle with David O'Jones Mitre 10, while top-placed Frewstal will lock horns with Farrers Tyrepower. Crowe Horvath will welcome the inclusion of Tarnee Orr to bolster its women’s attack, while David O Jones Mitre 10 will be looking for improvement across the board.
Frewstal and Farrers Tyrepower looks evenly matched on paper. Seth Blake won't get all his own way this week when he goes head to head with Farrers’ Karl Scott, while good mates Brae Scantleton and Jesse Barber will be trading powerful ground strokes all evening.
The action starts at 6.15pm tonight.