All six Euroa teams advance through to the finals

IT would be an understatement to say the Euroa Tennis Club has enjoyed a successful season in the BDTA and the GMLTA. All six Euroa sides are playing in finals this weekend, with four involved in the semi-finals of the GMLTA and two in the grand finals of the BDTA. Both the Euroa Lawn sides progressed through the BDTA Divisions One and Two semi-finals on Saturday. In Division Two, David Vaughan’s side defeated the all-conquering Swanpool to secure a grand final clash with Avenel. The side played its best tennis of the season, winning six of the nine sets, with the three losing sets being tie-breakers. In Division One, an undermanned Euroa Lawn side (Rowena Ellis played as a man) had to pull out all stops to get on top of Terip Terip. A couple of one-sided sets made the difference, with Julie Brook emerging as the star player. She was the only member of her side to claim all her sets. The side will regain number one man Kevin Bott for this week’s grand final against Strathbogie, which prevailed over Benalla Lawn Green to secure a grand final berth. Cross-town rivals Euroa Red and Green will play off for a spot in the grand final of GM3 after finishing first and second on the ladder. The sides are evenly matched, having each lost one match to the other during the season, so it promises to be an interesting contest. While the result on the previous day had no impact on the finals, Euroa Red enjoyed a narrow victory over KPOS Captains. Euroa Red was three games up at the end of play, winning 57 to 54. Euroa Green had a less successful day, going down to the Cobram Cobras, 45 to 66. In GM2, Euroa Blue also faced challenges, marred by injury and the windy, hot conditions. The side suffered its biggest loss of the season, going down by 17 games to Nathalia, 68 to 51. The loss all but extinguished any hope the side had of playing finals until an upset result saw Numurkah beat the Cobram Crocs by a single game, providing a reprieve. Euroa Blue subsequently finished fourth and will play Kyabram in the first semi-final. In GM2 Open, Euroa White could not hold off ladder leader Stanhope, despite an impressive afternoon of tennis from Bede Redfern, who won his singles and doubles sets. The side will need to beat KPOS Colonels on Saturday and then win again on Sunday to reach the grand final.