Thrilling junior tennis decider

The bad weather didn't deter onlookers who were treated to some excellent tennis, with the A grade final seeing only one game separate the two teams after the first two sets.

Willaura finally overcame its nervous start and combined well to take the next two sets and win the match.

The B grade final was played between Buangor and Tatyoon and with two of its strongest players missing Tatyoon had its work cut out against an in-form opponent.

Although there were some very close games Buangor proved too strong in the end to run out winners.

In the C grade grand final between Willaura White and Mininera it was always going to be a tough match for Mininera as it had been unable to win a match all season.

Unfortunately for the team, their luck didn't change on Saturday with Willaura White taking the match in straight sets.

The sun made an appearance just in time for presentations and the barbecue lunch, with junior tennis coordinator Leesa McInnes pleased with the success of the day.

"The grand final is always a lovely social morning for both the kids and their parents with all teams playing at the one venue," she said.

"We had a good crowd who stayed on for the barbecue lunch.

"Willaura/Lake Bolac Community Bendigo Bank sponsored the event again this year which allowed us to provide medallions for all the winning players and tennis socks for the runners-up. The kids did a terrific job in pretty chilly conditions and I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed the morning."

During presentations awards were given to a member from each team who displayed excellent sportsmanship and improvement in skills throughout the season with winners being Daniel McCready (Ararat), Scott Evans (Willaura Black), Tom Ives (Buangor), Archie Conboy (Tatyoon), Charlie Waites (Willaura White) and Ayleish Beaty (Mininera).

Special awards were also given to five children for displaying exemplary sportsmanship by filling in for other teams on grand final day due to other players missing with illness. They were Scott Evans, Nick McInnes, Grace Astbury, Cooper Heard and Will Lawrie.

See next week's edition of The Ararat Advertiser for winning team photos

Grand Final Results

A Grade

Ararat 1 set 10 games lost to Willaura Black 3 sets 21 games

G Bush and D McCready defeated J Morgan and B Morgan 6-3, E Bush and C Burmester lost to B McInnes and A Jackson 2-6, G Bush and E Bush lost to J Morgan and B McInnes 2- 6 and D McCready and C Burmester lost to B Morgan and A Jackson 1-6.

B Grade

Buangor 4 sets 24 games defeated Tatyoon 0 sets 9 games

B Hartwich and T Ives defeated A Astbury and A Conboy 6-1, T Hartwich and W Laurie defeated G Richardson and J Phillips 6-3, B Hartwich and T Hartwich defeated A Astbury and G Richardson 6-1 and T Ives and W Laurie defeated A Conboy and J Phillips 6-4.

C Grade

Willaura White 4 sets 24 games defeated Mininera 0 sets 7 games

K Millear and L Millear defeated C Heard and G Astbury 6-4, A Byron and C Waites defeated S Evans and N McInnes 6-1, K Millear and A Byron defeated C Heard and S Evans 6-1 and L Millear and C Waites defeated G Astbury and N McInnes 6-1.