Round eight of the Dimboola District Tennis Association was scheduled to kick off on Friday night, but with harvest and other functions taking over the weekends, teams struggled to find enough players to compete, so the Friday night game and one on Saturday were forfeits which has contributed to some changes on the ladder.

The first of two games that did go ahead kicked off on Saturday, with Jeparit hosting Antwerp.

In the Mixed it was Antwerp in a close one winning 3 sets 33 games to Jeparit 2 sets 32 games to kick things off.

The Men were a good tussle, with the Redbacks getting up and playing some good tennis to win 3 sets, 41 games, to 2 sets, 25 games. However, the Antwerp Women steadied the ship to come home on top of the contest to grab the points 4 sets, 44 games to 1 sets 26 games.

The overall score was Antwerp 4 match points, 9 sets, 102 games to Jeparit 1 match point, 6 sets, 99 games.

The last game of the round saw in-form team Dimboola up against Brim, who are in fourth place but have a couple of teams breathing down their necks. One of those teams is Dimboola, which is with a full head of steam heading into the harvest period.

In the Mixed, Dimboola was off to a great start, winning 3 sets, 28 games to 1 set, 26 games.

Dimboola has been the in-form team of the competition of late, so a big win is not out of the question.

In the Men’s competition, it was the same, with the visiting team once again on top, grabbing the points with 3 sets, 31 games to 1 set, 26 games.

In the Women’s, Brim was able to grind out a win to gain the points: 2 sets, 29 games to 2 sets, and 28 games.

The overall score was Dimboola 4 match points, 8 sets, 87 games to Brim 1 match point, 4 sets, 81 games.

Rainbow forfeited to Arkona, and Hopetoun forfeited to Warracknabeal.

After this week’s round of matches, we have a new leader in Warracknabeal, who have moved to the top of the ladder at the expense of Hopetoun.

Dimboola has leapfrogged Rainbow to be only one point shy of Brim in fourth place on the ladder.

Round nine is scheduled to hit off on Friday evening, with Antwerp and Dimboola to meet at the Health and Fitness Centre courts, and on Saturday, Jeparit is to host Rainbow, Warracknabeal will be at home to Arkona, and Hopetoun and Brim clash at Hopetoun.

Ladder after Round Eight

Warracknabeal  29   128.26
Hopetoun 27.5117.43
Antwerp 26118.79
Brim 22127.30
Dimboola 21113.24
Rainbow 18.585.84
Arkona 1366.17
Jeparit 364.83

Round Eight Results

Jeparit v Antwerp

Mixed: Jarryd Newcombe, Ebony Spokes lost to Tim Jorgensen, Abbey Greig 4-9; Josh Schultz, Max Spokes lost to Tahlia Avery, Heather Jorgensen 2-9; Marcel Badua, Macy Fuller lost to Noah Myerscough, Chloe Lehmann 8-9; Jake Smith, Mikayla Smith def Alex Jupp, Ant Toat 9-5; Liam Campbell, Maddi Marra def Eli Badua, Temika Greig 9-1.

Men: J. Newcombe, M. Badua def T. Jorgensen, A. Jupp 9-2; J. Smith, L. Campbell def N. Myerscough, E. Badua 9-2; J. Newcombe, J. Schultz lost to T. Jorgensen, T. Avery 6-9; M. Badua, L. Campbell def A. Jupp, E. Badua 9-3; J. Schultz, J. Smith lost to T. Avery, N. Myerscough 8-9.

Women: E. Spokes, M. Spokes lost to A. Greig, C. Lehmann 4-9; M. Smith, M. Marra lost to A. Toet, T. Greig 5-9; E. Spokes, M. Fuller lost to A. Greig, H. Jorgensen 2-9; M. Spokes, M. Marra lost to C. Lehmann, T. Greig 6-9; M. Fuller, M. Smith def H. Jorgensen, A. Toet 9-8.

Brim v Dimboola

Mixed: Seth Keam, Zali Angel lost to Ash Clugston, Breanna Eldridge 2-9; Kyle George, Kylie O’Connor lost to Jesse Day, Jennie Hauselberger 8-9; Levi Keam, Jenna Angel def Lenny Eldridge, Lyla Barry 9-1; Zac O’Connor, Elysia Preston lost to Rob Barry, Tilly Barry 7-9.

Men: K. George, L. Keam lost to A. Clugston, L. Eldridge 8-9; S. Keam, Z. O’Connor lost to J. Day, R. Barry 7-9; K. George, S. Keam lost to A. Clugston, J. Day 2-9; L. Keam, Z. O’Connor def L. Eldridge, R. Barry 9-4.

Women: Z. Angel, J. Angel def B. Eldridge, L. Barry 9-2; K. O’Connor, E. Preston lost to J. Hauselberger, T. Barry 7-9; Z. Angel, K. O’Connor def B. Eldridge, J. Hauselberger 9-8; J. Angel, E. Preston lost to L. Barry, T. Barry 4-9.

Rainbow forfeited to Arkona

Hopetoun forfeited to Warracknabeal