Sport
Familiar scenes as Shepparton North and McEwen Reserve prep for SDTA pennant grand final
Mark Twain once said that history never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.
This Saturday, no less than 363 days on from last year’s Shepparton District Tennis Association pennant grand final, the two sides that duked it out for 2022-23 supremacy are at it again.
And, though the famous humorist did not say the phrase with SDTA on his mind, McEwen Reserve will hope that history does not replicate itself when stepping out at Central Park Tennis Club.
McEwen Reserve approaches as favourite against rival Shepparton North — or so it would seem.
The Brauman St crew finished the regular season 12 points clear of the weekend’s opponent, but after winning the past two flags, North is not to be trifled with in the eyes of McEwen Reserve’s Tim Comer.
“We’re reasonably confident, I think we’ve been playing pretty well all year, so as long as we can keep up that form we should be in with a good shot,’’ Comer said.
“They’re obviously a pretty good side winning the last two grand finals, so it should be a good battle between the two of us.”
McEwen Reserve has trumped North in three of its four clashes this season, with the latter’s outlying win coming via forfeit.
Comer thinks a key component to conjuring the fourth — and most important — triumph against North lies in the hands of Tanner Hunter, who has hit the ground running since switching over from Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association.
“Tanner Hunter has had a really good year coming across from lawn — he’s just been cleaning up every week,” Comer said.
“But I think everyone has had a pretty solid year, so if we can keep the form we’ve showed throughout the year as a team, we’ll be going pretty well.”
As for Shepparton North, the usual suspects of Evan Cooknell and Clark Pettigrew are expected to weigh heavy on the end result — though the former said its female core had been nothing short of stellar of late.
“Our girls have been pretty dominant this year, carrying us blokes to be honest,” Cooknell said.
“Lou (Louise Dwyer), Helen (Jackson) and Kellie (Crosier), last week they were unbelievable.
“But if all six of us can have a pretty good day then it will go a long way.
“They (McEwen Reserve) have been the best team for most of the year, but anything can happen on grand final day. We’ve just got to have a bit of fun and give it a crack.”
Rolling through the divisions, McEwen Reserve Green hosts Murchison Gold in the A1 decider on Friday, while Kialla Park Old Students and Lemnos contest the A2 final at the same venue.
Lastly, the A3 grand final is set for Saturday at Central Park Tennis Club, with the hosting side taking on St Andrew’s.