Yannathan wins thrilling grand final

YANNATHAN downed Nar Nar Goon White to win a thrilling grand final in Section 1 of the West Gippsland Tennis Association at the Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre on Saturday.
Yannathan won 3 sets 26 games to the 3 sets and 24 games collected by Nar Nar Goon. The standard of tennis was exceptionally high, and the match was played in wonderful spirits.
In a strange occurrence, Nar Nar Goon White won all three singles matches, while Yannathan won all three doubles matches, meaning every player was in at least one winning set. In winning, Yannathan completed an undefeated season.
Alexander Mapleson of Yannathan, playing his final game after nine seasons in juniors, won his first premiership. The other team members were Mark Wildes and Christopher Mapleson. Nar Nar Goon White were represented by Tom Cunningham, Beau Scamporlino and Bryce Henzen.
Lang Lang comfortably won Section 2, downing Tynong White 5/32 to 1/14. Lang Lang’s Harry Bencraft, Lachlan Barwick and Jamie Dike now win promotion to Section 1. These boys have played together for a number of seasons, steadily progressing through the grades and are a credit to their club. Tynong White, represented by Jacob Hurst, Glen Onley, Phillip Bezzina and Emma Hall, are to be congratulated on reaching the grand final.
Closely matched Catani and Maryknoll competed eagerly with Maryknoll in Section 3, coming out on top 3/30 – 3/26. Nicholas Sparks, Hugh Manson, Lachlan Sparks and Lachlan Carney have been competitive for a number of seasons, and were finally rewarded with a premiership. Catani’s Cody Banbury, Kristopher Sabbatucci, Daniel Keily and Stewart Bisset finished the season on top, but found Maryknoll too good on the day.
Section 4 was a very even affair between the top three sides throughout the season and top placed Tynong 4/27 defeated Maryknoll 2/20 in the final. Congratulations to Feliche Zaccari, Josh Hurst and Tom Bezzina while the Maryknoll White team of Sam Collins, Maggie Nooy and Grace Cunningham had a consistent season.
Undefeated Kooweerup took out the Section 5 premiership with a convincing win over a determined Maryknoll. As a new club, Kooweerup may have ‘slipped under the handicapper’s guard’ – the grading committee. The final scores were 6/37 – 0/18. Congratulations to Jessica Ritchie, Caitlyn Van Dord, Bradley Russell and Kyle Gosens. Matthew Ahrens, Leyton Willis, Ben George, Bianca Stefanovski and Elizabeth Magnan from Maryknoll have had a competitive season.
Lang Lang’s Brent Miller, Zac Soutar, David Miller and Reece Asmus scored a surprise win in Section 6 over the previously undefeated Tooradin team of Ashleigh Okkels, Rebecca Kay, Courtney McLeod and Caitlin Gibson in a close encounter 3/28 – 3/25.
Officer took out the Section 7 premiership with a strong win over Maryknoll. Officer’s Alex Pascale, Steph Morgan, Matthew Ryan, Maddie Neil and Emily Pascale 5/34 downed Maryknoll’s Luke and Jacob Van Boxtel, Candy Chapple, Andee Nooy, Lachlan McCelland, 1/24.
Lang Lang completed an excellent day for the club by defeating the top placed Tooradin in a form reversal. In their previous encounter in the final round of Section 8, Tooradin won five sets to one. Lang Lang’s Eden Shepherd, Lachlan Gleeson, Jake Cousins, Kyle Loveridge and Ben Laughton 3/32 downed Tooradin’s Hayden Kay, Georgia McLeod, Petar and Jovana Jovic 3/23.