Avenel has capped its perfect season in Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association with a thrilling 7-65 to 4-60 win over Shepparton Lawn Pelicans in the division two open grand final at the weekend.
After coming across from Benalla District Tennis Association in the off-season, Avenel came into the new year unsure of what to expect with a youthful team excited to test it at GMLTA level.
Avenel coach Stephen Garner said he could not be prouder of what his side achieved this season.
“It is a fantastic feeling (to be premiers), this is our first year in the competition and had a lot of good young kids come over from Benalla and District who were keen to test themselves at the higher level,” Garner said.
“We got across the line which was great, every time we have played the Pelicans it has been quite tight, and to see our players get the reward for all the hard work they have put in this season it is very pleasing.”
A match-up that pitted the competition’s two top teams against each other, it was always going to be an exciting contest at Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club.
Strong singles performances from Hayden (6-2) and Liam Gardner (6-1) would give Pelicans the fast start as they went about putting pressure on the minor premier in the early rubbers.
But just as it has done all season, the Avenel squad was up for the challenge, as Gus Garner almost single-handedly turned the tide for his team.
Beginning with a 6-2 win in his singles rubber, he teamed up with Genevieve Gordon in the mixed doubles to produce an 8-3 triumph, before getting his team over the line in the pivotal rubber 10 with an 8-7 victory alongside Cain Murray.
“In the end Gus Garner stepped up and that really became the difference in the game, the three sets he won got us across the line in the end,” Garner said.
“In saying that though, when you win three sets to four you should win more games than you lose.”
He said he hoped this premiership would inspire more local kids to get involved in tennis as the club continues to grow.
“There needs to be a pathway for local kids to play better tennis, we just want to keep moving up the divisions and this was a great start,” he said.
“We have lots of men, but not too many ladies, so we are hoping we can attract some more talent in the coming seasons and really become a force in the GMLTA.”