Junior State League – Results
Round 14 saw the last round of the regular season for Junior State League with teams hitting the court for their chance to get the upper hand in finals. The battle for home court advantage and momentum heading into finals was vital.
In the Girl’s competition Goodwood had all the momentum with a perfect season winning eleven out of eleven matches prior to Round 14. Trinity Gardens hosted the undefeated team in Goodwood at home on Friday night. The inclusion of Amber Marshall into Trinity Gardens at number one is the draw card they needed. Amber Marshall played Nikki Milner one of the most consistent players this season defeating her 6-1. Trinity’s Hayley Waterman held her own at number three defeating Nicola Pavlic 6-1. Goodwood’s two and four Marit Gillam and Erica Willams tied it up with wins in their respective singles. With Goodwood not being in this position before had some work to do in the doubles. Goodwood’s Nikki Milner and Evana Bowell faced sister pairing Amber and Meeka Marshall losing 4-6. Trinity then went down in the last rubber 7-5 to Marit Gillam and Nicola Pavlic. With Rubbers tied at three all, it came down to a game count with Trinity being the victors 30-26. Goodwood were unable to finish off the perfect season while Trinity will now go into finals in third place with huge momentum.
Seaside came up against Happy Valley who were sitting comfortably in second place on the ladder. Seaside’s Tully Richter earned the first singles point for her side when she defeated Heidi Evans 6-2. The rubbers were 3-0 in the favor of Seaside after Millie Pearce and Georgia Plunkett went to work earning their respective single wins. Happy Valley were only able to get the single point for the night winning the top doubles, resulting in Seaside winning five rubbers to one. Seaside sit in fourth place going into finals and with the top two teams losing in the final round the finals series is an open field.
In the Boy’s competition Goodwood hoped to finish the season as minor premiers after trailing Coromandel Valley all season. Seaside was the team to face the likes of Josh Laka, Stefan Bianchet, Ben Cahill and Doni Gashi. The team performed at their best ability knocking off Seaside six rubbers to none and giving themselves the best opportunity to finish top of the ladder. The team would have to await their rival’s results.
Coromandel Valley held the top position all season and wanted to remain there with one round to play. Stirling’s Justin Tscharke made Coromandel Valley nervous when he defeated Olley Douglas at number one 6-4. With the depth of strength Coromandel Valley has, players two, three and four in Sean Van Rensburg, Patrick Douglas and Luke Mascione were all able to seal wins in singles giving the team a 3-1 rubber lead. The combination of Sean Van Rensburg and one of this year’s most consistent players in Sam Sanderson were able to close it out in the doubles 6-3. Coromandel Valley walked away with a four rubber to two win and finished as minor premiers above Goodwood 104 points to 103 points.
Trinity Garden’s won six rubbers to none against Peake Gardens. This sealed Trinity’s spot in third place giving them a home final against their rivals in Glenunga who were unable to get a win against Tea Tree Gully losing four rubbers to two but remained in fourth place on points. Both teams will now reset and get ready for the elimination final ahead.
Tennis SA would like to congratulate and thank all teams that competed in inaugural Junior State League 2016/17. To all the teams who made finals we wish you good luck and to the teams that were unable to make it, we hope to see you next season. Good luck in all your tennis endeavours!
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