Gold glitters to win McEwen Reserve derby in Shepparton District Tennis Association action

By Liam Nash

Dec 2, 2024

McEwen Reserve Gold’s Chris Wright was involved in three winning rubbers for her side. Photo by Megan Fisher

There could only be one winner in the Shepparton District Tennis Association derby.

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As airspace tightens at the summit of the A1 division, McEwen Reserve Gold and Red went to war on mutual territory as both Brauman St co-tenants eyed off second spot on the ladder.

Friday night’s duel commenced with Red taking the early ascendancy, wrestling away the first two rubbers 6-3 with Ben Ladson involved in both.

The fast start was a show of intent from Red, which had fallen by an agonising two-game margin when the two McEwen Reserve powers went toe-to-toe in round three.

However, like last time, the pendulum soon swung Gold’s way.

Charlie Thomson and Geoff Akers’ 6-5 triumph in the third tie knocked down the first domino in a barnstorming Gold rush, as the side went on to claim all seven of the following rubbers.

Though each contest was hotly fought, Gold had the edge as it took the match 7-48 to 2-39 to move two points ahead of Red and into second on the ladder, six points adrift of Shepparton North.

The Northerners kept their spot at the head of the table on Saturday, avoiding the turbulent weather to score a 6-45 to 3-27 victory over Karramomus.

Clark Pettigrew was in fine form for North, starting the day with a 6-2 win alongside Evan Cooknell before playing his hand in two more of his side’s victorious rubbers.

Meanwhile, the other Friday night fixture between Central Park and Lemnos was called off due to poor weather conditions, while all the A2 matches were also scratched.