McEwen Reserve has broken the duck to be draped in premiership spoils.
On Saturday, the six Brauman St components fought off a spirited Shepparton North contingent for a 5-44 to 4-37 Shepparton District Tennis Association pennant grand final victory in a tight-fisted and well-contested tussle.
And, in doing so, they snapped North’s three-peat ambitions.
Despite being the best side in the regular season, McEwen Reserve was pushed to the limits by North at Central Park Tennis Club, but held on at the death, much to the relief of team spokesperson Tim Comer.
“We were definitely glad to get the win. Losing the last two (grand finals) against them, it was good to get over the line,” he said.
“It was good tennis all day and they certainly made us work for it and pushed us all the way.
“It was pretty nervous throughout the day, but it was good to get the job done in the end.
“It’s the reward for effort and regularly turning up each week.”
McEwen Reserve’s men were superior on the day as the combination of Comer, Tanner Hunter and Josh Mei took the first three rubbers, which included a 6-0 bagel in the second.
However, North’s women swung back hard as Louise Dwyer, Helen Jackson and Kellie Crosier trumped the following three rubbers, meaning it was all going down to the mixed doubles.
Comer and Cathy O’Brien released the pressure valve with a 6-1 result over Jackson and Clark Pettigrew and McEwen Reserve stayed in the race to cross the line in pole position and hoist the flag.
Comer relished McEwen Reserve’s full-faceted team performance.
“We all played our role to an extent — I wouldn’t have said there were any standouts in particular,” Comer said.
“I think it was just a team effort, which it had to be to get the job done against them.”
However, while there were no clear standouts on the day, one man stood above the pack across the season.
McEwen Reserve’s Tanner Hunter was crowned the men’s Player of the Year alongside women’s Player of the Year Karramomus Tennis Club’s Steph Veal.
“He (Hunter) had a really consistent year, particularly playing number one each week,” Comer said.
“It’s not easy playing the best guys each week, but he had a really good year and certainly helped us to be able to achieve what we did on Saturday.”
In the A1 division, McEwen Reserve Green added to the club’s trophy cabinet haul with a clinical 5-45 to 4-36 grand final showing over Murchison Gold.
Christine Wright starred for Green as she played a hand in two 6-1 rubber wins.
A2 success went the way of Lemnos as it defeated Kialla Park Old Students in a close contest, the eastsiders scoring a 5-41 to 4-39 triumph.
Meanwhile, St Andrew’s emerged victorious in the A3 decider with a 6-46 to 3-36 win against Central Park.
Rounding out the awards on Saturday was Murchison Tennis Club’s Tom Finn, who landed the 2023-24 Presidents Award.
Current president Finn was bestowed the honour for his services to Murchison Tennis Club, having been involved in junior and senior tennis for many years.