GMLTA | Gallery | Numurkah Warriors enjoy top-quality finals tune-up against Shepparton Lawn Tropics

By Zac Standish

Feb 21, 2023

In the zone: Numurkah's Mark Mills prepares to unleash his forearm. Photo: Aydin Payne Photo by Aydin Payne

Numurkah Warriors continued to cement themselves as a top Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association division one contender with a strong victory at Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday afternoon.

Coming up against the third-placed Shepparton Lawn Tropics in the round 14 clash, the Warriors’ class shone through as they walked away a handsome 7-79 to 5-60 victor.

Ladder-wise the win did not do anything to change its second-placed standing, but with the finals series just a fortnight away, Numurkah captain Mark Mills said it did give his team a valuable confidence boost.

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Eyes light up: Numurkah's Sabrina Lewicki. Photo by Aydin Payne

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Perfectly poised: Numurkah's Grant Chappell Photo by Aydin Payne

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Precision: Numurkah's John Brunner Photo by Aydin Payne

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Eye on the volley: Tropics' Tanner Hunter. Photo by Aydin Payne

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Slice: Tropics' Nathan Mitchell Photo by Aydin Payne

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Ready for action: Numurkah's Aaron Breust. Photo by Aydin Payne

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Desperate lunge: Tropics' Jeremy O'Brien Photo by Aydin Payne

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Whack: Numurkah's John Brunner. Photo by Aydin Payne

“It was a good hit-out for us, it got a bit tight in periods, but overall I thought we played a very solid match from start to finish,” Mills said.

“It is definitely positive signs for us with finals just around the corner and it was great to see where we sit against the third-ranked side.

“I feel we are just starting to hit our straps as a team and we cannot wait for the challenge the next few weeks will present.”

When it came to the main drivers behind this victory, it was the Warriors’ top two seeded players in Aaron Breust and John Brunner who did the damage.

Both recorded dominant 8-1 victories in their singles ties, while Breust continued his dominance into the doubles matches where he played a key role in two more wins.

“Aaron and John did not put a foot wrong in their singles matches, coming up against good opposition they put their foot down and got us off to the perfect start,” Mills said.

“Aaron especially is an exceptional player and we are lucky to have him at the club, he’s really setting himself for finals and we are expecting some very big things from him in the finals.”

While it was not the result the Tropics were after in the lead-up to their finals campaign, they still had a number of stand-out performers.

Tanner Hunter was the star of the show for the hosts, winning all three of his matches to give his team a fighting chance.

Anna Reynolds also recorded an 8-3 win in her singles tie with Sabrina Lewicki and an 8-1 victory alongside Leanne More in the doubles.

The loss will have no bearing on the Tropics’ third-placed spot on the ladder in the lead-up to the finals, as they currently sit two wins ahead of Velvet Tigers.

Elsewhere, ladder-leader Kyabram/Echuca flexed its muscles with a dominant 10-94 to 2-49 win over Shepparton Lawn Average Joes.

Shepparton Lawn The Valley rounded out the winners’ list with a thumping 10-93 to 2-49 victory over Velvet Tigers.