Shepparton District Tennis Association is now a fortnight into its 2023-24 season with one pennant contender looming large over the rest.
Central Park earned its first win of the campaign in nail-biting fashion, scraping out a victory over McEwen Reserve that came down to the last points of the day.
With the sides deadlocked at 4-32 apiece heading into the decisive tie, Janelle Pottenger became the star of the show.
Having racked up two earlier ― and much more straightforward ― victories on the day, Pottenger would again steer the ship to success when it counted most, helping her side escape with a 6-5 result in the final rubber to take overall honours.
Additionally, Shepparton North has continued its early dominance in the top flight with a huge 8-53 to 1-32 away win over Karramomus.
Karramomus, to their side’s credit, avoided being shut out in any of the nine rubbers.
Shepparton North would leave itself a single game shy of perfection, taking its only defeat on the day 6-5.
Clark Pettigrew had a significant early influence with a hand in establishing his side’s lead, earning two doubles wins including a big 6-1 triumph in the second tie.
Across the rest of the weekend’s action, McEwen Reserve Green and Shepparton North stayed perfect through two rounds in the A1/A2 division after Friday was their second outings.
Shepparton North secured the day with one game in hand, with Andrew Montgomery earning an early, middle and late victory, including the clincher in a 6-44 to 3-35 win over McEwen Reserve Red.
McEwen Green did it much easier, though, breezing past Lemnos 8-52 to 1-31.
Kialla Park Old Students picked up the only sweep at any level at the weekend, mauling St Brendan’s 9-54 to 0-13 to notch its maiden A1/A2 points this season.
In the A3 tier on Saturday, Central Park remains the only unbeaten of the four sides after dispatching Karramomus 6-44 to 3-33 in a clash of round one winners.
St Andrew’s got on the board at the expense of winless Shepparton North, easily accounting for their foes 7-46 to 2-31.