Kate Hunter won two sets for Echuca 2 against Echuca 3. Photos: Aidan Briggs
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
In a rematch of last season’s grand final, Rochester has gained a measure of revenge, taking down champion Echuca 1 at Rochester Lawn Tennis Club.
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In a new season, the sides weren’t identical to those that contested the 2023-24 decider, but the impressive 9-88 to 4-61 victory is a big shake-up from last season which saw Echuca 1 go the entire campaign undefeated.
The tie started neck-and-neck as the sides split the singles rubbers, Jacob Grieves prevailing 6-4 for Rochy and Nick Bush 6-3 for Echuca.
Amber Boyd won two women’s doubles matches, give Echuca 3 a lead.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
The men’s doubles saw a big swing Rochester’s way, with all three matches going the way of the host by a combined 24 games to eight.
Tobie Woodfine was having a good day, featuring in two of the wins.
Echuca clawed back a little of the deficit, with Roxanne Dicketts and Celine Joyce taking the first women’s doubles, but Rochester was out for blood, taking the remaining three sets.
Echuca 2 won all three sets Stephen Hope took part in.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Karen Taylor and Mandy Dingwall paired up for the most dominant Rochester performance, taking their set 8-2.
The mixed doubles was a more balanced affair with each side winning two sets, but that was more than enough for Rochy to take the overall tie and reclaim some bragging rights over its grand final opponent.
Steve Rawlings launches a rocket for Echuca 3.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Echuca 2 vs Echuca 3
In the other fixture of the round, Echuca 2 barely downed Echuca 3 7-80 to 6-79 at Echuca Lawn Tennis Club.
Echuca 2 gained the early advantage after Chris Potter took the opening singles 6-2, but that advantage was quickly nullified by 3’s Hudson Jasper, who prevailed in the other singles 6-4.
Chris Potter demonstrates some measured play for Echuca 2.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Two of the three men’s doubles sets went the way of 2, with Stephen Hope featuring in both of his side’s wins.
Echuca 3 pulled back the deficit in the women’s doubles segment, winning three rubbers to one.
Charlotta Groenewald and Megan Farrell had the biggest win of the block, taking their set 8-2, while Groenewald also had success paired with Amber Boyd.
With the result still in the balance, a tense mixed doubles round ensued. Phil and Lucy Higgins started it off right for 2, edging out their opponents 8-7, before Groenewald and Josh Boyd clawed 3 back in front coming out ahead 8-3.
Josh Boyd starts a point on the front foot for Echuca 3.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Trailing by a set, Echuca 2 required a perfect run over the last two rubbers, and its squad delivered, taking both sets 8-5 to win overall by a single game.
The early table sees unbeaten sides Rochester and Echuca on top, with the other three teams yet to taste success this campaign
Round three next week sees Echuca 1 take on Echuca 2, while LBU will return from the bye to take on Echuca 3. Both matches will be played at Echuca Lawn Tennis Club.
Rochester has a week to bask in its victory, drawing the bye.
Echuca 3’s Anthea Mathers keeps it in play.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Division two
In division two, Rochester battled Elmore at home, prevailing 9-66 to 4-38.
After the singles were split, all three men’s doubles rubbers went the way of Rochester, with Darren Pain getting the win in both his sets.
Elmore held its own in the women’s doubles, holding Rochester to two sets each, but the home side stretched the margin by taking three of four mixed doubles.
Echuca 5 defeated Echuca 4 10-71 to 3-45, while LBU had the bye
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