Sport
11 December, 2025
Blue skies return in round eight
Blue skies appeared just in time for both Ararat and District Tennis Association Round eight matches to go ahead over the weekend, with teams making the most of the welcome break in the weather.
BY MEL MURNANE
At Crowlands, the visiting Maryborough side got off to a flying start. Their men were dominant from the first serve, completing a clean sweep of all sets to take the section 32–4. Crowlands, however, hit back through their women, continuing their strong run of form with competitive play across all four sets. Their consistency was rewarded, winning the ladies section 27–18 and keeping their team in the contest.
Despite Crowlands’ efforts, Maryborough carried a 19-game lead into the mixed section. The mixed rubbers were tightly contested, but Maryborough’s depth proved too strong as they once again swept the section. The visitors claimed the overall match 82–47 games and secured 8–2 match points.
Further along the Pyrenees ranges, Elmhurst-Amphitheatre hosted Buangor-Ararat in a match that began with an exciting showdown in the men’s section. Elmhurst-Amphitheatre’s Josh Barker and Saku Yano edged out Buangor-Ararat’s Tim and Chris Hartwich in a thrilling tie-breaker that could have gone either way. From there, Elmhurst-Amphitheatre continued their momentum, winning the remaining men’s sets and the section 33–11.
The women’s section was a much closer affair, with both sides claiming two sets each. Elmhurst-Amphitheatre, however, managed to pull ahead on total games, taking the section 28–22 and creating a strong overall margin heading into the mixed.
With a comfortable lead behind them, Elmhurst-Amphitheatre maintained control in the mixed section. Buangor-Ararat showed grit until the very end, highlighted by the final pairing of Wayne Hoare and Isobel Leggett, who defeated Elmhurst-Amphitheatre’s Will Edgar and Natalie Thorne 8–6 in the last set of the day. But the effort wasn’t enough to turn the match, and Elmhurst-Amphitheatre secured an impressive overall win, 91–45 games and all 10 match points.
Saturday marks the final round before the Christmas break. Landsborough will host Elmhurst-Amphitheatre, while Crowlands welcome Buangor-Ararat. Maryborough will have the bye.
RESULTS
Crowlands 47/2 lost to Maryborough 82/8
Mens
Mark Howie, Keith Boatman (0) lost to Riley Ford, Daniel Potter (8)
Andrew Turnbull, Jack Graydon (2) lost to Lyndon Tait, Mark Christie (8)
M. Howie, A. Turnbull (1) lost to R. Ford, L. Tait (8)
K. Boatman, J. Graydon (1) lost to D. Potter, M. Christie (8)
Ladies
Kate Vance, Julia Harricks (8) def Ally Ellis, Bianca Powell (0)
Jess Frampton, Pieter Jardine (3) lost to Rachel O’Halloran, Steph Lierich (8)
K. Vance, J. Frampton (8) def A. Ellis, R. O’Halloran (6)
J. Harricks, P. Jardine (8) def B. Powell, S. Lierich (4)
Mixed
M. Howie, K. Vance (2) lost to R. Ford, A. Ellis (8)
K. Boatman, J. Harricks (4) lost to D. Potter, R. O’Halloran (8)
A. Turnbull, J. Frampton (4) lost to L. Tait, S. Lierich (8)
J. Graydon, P. Jardine (6) lost to M. Christie, B. Powell (8)
Elmhurst/Amphitheatre 91/10 def Buangor 48/0
Mens
Josh Barker, Saku Yano (9) def Chris Hartwich, Tim Hartwich (8)
Patrick Jenes, Will Edgar (8) def Ross McGregor, Wayne Hoare (1)
J. Barker, P. Jenes (8) def C. Hartwich, R. McGregor (0)
S. Yano, W. Edgar (8) def T. Hartwich, W. Hoare (2)
Ladies
Bethany Fitzpatrick, Aimee Harrison (8) def Chantelle Wardlaw, Kim Hartwich (0)
Heather Driscoll, Natalie Thorne (6) lost to Sabaya Woods, Isobel Leggett (8)
B. Fitzpatrick, H. Driscoll (8) def C. Wardlaw, S. Woods (6)
A. Harrison, N. Thorne (6) lost to K. Hartwich, I. Leggett (8)
Mixed
J. Barker, A. Harrison (8) def R. McGregor, K. Hartwich (1)
S. Yano, H. Driscoll (8) def C. Hartwich, C. Wardlaw (5)
P. Jenes, B. Fitzpatrick (8) def T. Hartwich, S. Woods (1)
W. Edgar, N. Thorne (6) lost to W. Hoare, I. Leggett (8)
Read More: Buangor, Ararat, Amphitheatre