The Stawell Tennis Club's Friday night competition minor premiership has come to a thrilling conclusion, with just four points separating first and fourth at the end of the final round. Stawell Gold Mine and Stawell Toyota filled the top two spots and will battle it out this weekend for the premiership cup.
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Stawell Goldmine knew at the beginning of the night that anything less than a victory would mean season over, with their opponents David O'Jones Mitre 10, sitting atop the ladder and standing in their way. They too understood the equation, win and a grand final berth was assured, or lose and they would have to rely on other results.
Stawell Goldmines' inspirational leaders Andrew Dunn and Jade Cross played desperate tennis, setting the standard for their younger teammates. Aiden Graveson and Emma Gray followed their lead winning all their sets. Mitre 10 youngsters Elise Monaghan and Sam Jenkinson kept them in the contest and the match hung in the balance with three sets remaining and just one game separating the two sides, but it would be Stawell Goldmine who would reign triumphant with a 10 set 90 games to 8 sets 83 game victory.
Stawell Toyota went into its match against Grampians Joinery knowing a solid win could catapult them into the top two, however, an undermanned line-up would make the task difficult. They needn't have worried, with an 11 set 88 games to 7 sets 78 games victory enough to force their way into the top two. Jemima Harney and Will Hackwill continued their consistent seasons with three set wins and were well supported by Phil Hutton. Jodie Grainger played a lone hand for Grampians Joinery, winning all her sets.
Delahunty Plumbing had a small glimmer of hope of figuring in the grand final but knew it would take a minor miracle. They won convincingly over Frewstal, winning 12 sets to 6 but it wasn't enough however, falling two points short of second place. Lewis Reading enjoyed a solid season in the step up to senior ranks and finished off the regular season with an unbeaten night, as did Jen Stevens.