WARM conditions welcomed back players for the Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association’s first round of the year.

Euroa’s men's side, competing in the open section, went down in a close encounter to the second-placed Stanhope.

Bede Redfern impressed on his home courts by being the side’s only singles winner and he also combined well with Dublin Anderson to claim a doubles set.

But Stanhope was just a bit too strong on the day, winning with seven games in hand.

The final score was Stanhope 67 to Euroa White 60.

In Division two, Euroa Blue has slipped to third spot on the ladder after going down to the Kyabram Bombers.

Sarah Ternes produced near-flawless tennis to claim all three sets and keep her side in the hunt.

But the visitors dominated in a couple of one-sided sets and slipped away to an unassailable lead.

The final score was Kyabram Bombers 70 to Euroa Blue 51.

In better news, Euroa Red has consolidated its position at the top of the GM3 ladder after a bruising win over the Cobram Cobras.

The women in Megan O’Bree, Faye Mollison and Kelly Hill were blistering in the Cobram sun and dropped only four games across their three sets.

But Jake Hill’s singles record is no longer intact after he was beaten 6-5.

And Euroa Green went down in nail-biter to a smart Numurkah outfit.

Judy Sands pulled out all stops to win all her clashes but her side still fell agonisingly short.

The final score was Euroa Green 53 to Numurkah 56.