In what may prove a watershed night for competition tennis in South Australia, Somerton Park Sharks men’s and Flagstaff Freighters women’s teams were crowned the inaugural National Tennis League SA champions.
On a perfect summer’s night at Adelaide’s iconic Memorial Drive, a crowd the size of which has rarely, if ever, been seen locally were treated to team tennis of an exceptional quality.
The Rostrevor Raiders and Trinity Titans were gallant and gracious runners-up, but still took home a two thousand dollar cheque and a place in the NTL Playoff as the Australian Open next month.
Rostrevor was rocked with the late withdrawal of captain/coach Todd Perry, and the shift in order saw the enthralling match up of Colin Ebelthite and the Shark’s Luke Saville – Ebelthite taking the rubber 4-2, 4-2.
Over on court two, in what was possibly match of the night, 15 year old wunderkind Thanasi Kokkinakis defeated Joshua Crowe in a tie-breaker.
The second lot of singles in the men’s saw Todd Ley continue his stellar NTL form winning against Jordan Kerr and Lachlan Ferguson relatively comfortably over the Perry replacement Matt Teivans 4-0, 4-2.
With the tie at 3-1 the Shark’s way, Rostrevor needed a momentous effort in the doubles but split them with Pan Kokkinakis and Lachlan Ferguson holding on in a tie-break over Heath Perry and Jordan Kerr to secure the title.
The women’s final appeared a more straight forward affair with the Flagstaff Freighters capping off a triumphant season with a 6-0 sweep of a brave Titans who took three rubbers to tie-breaks. Trinity displayed the sporting spirit that has made the NTL such a success in its inauguration by keenly participating in the doubles, despite the tie already being decided. It added to the grand occasion and they should be congratulated.
The night also provided the opportunity to acknowledge individual efforts with The Advertiser NTL Player of the Series going to the overall best performing players of the NTL-SA and deserving winners were Raider’s Colin Ebelthite and Flagstaff’s impressive young import Ashley Keir.
The Ken McGregor Foundation NTL Rookie Awards (for players 18 years and under) were presented to Darren Polkinghorne from the Goodwood Saints and Chloe Hule of the Flagstaff Freighters for their outstanding performances in an intense and quality competition.
Attention now turns to the National Tennis League Playoff on January 25th and 26th at the Australian Open where all four teams have earned the right and privilege to represent South Australia.
Rostrevor Raiders v Somerton Park Sharks
|
Set 1 |
Set 2 |
TB |
|||
| Colin Ebelthite | V | Luke Saville |
4-2 |
4-2 |
|
| Jordan Kerr | V | Todd Ley |
3-4 |
3-4 |
|
| Joshua Crowe | V | Thanasi Kokkinakis |
4-2 |
3-4 |
3-7 |
| Matt Teivans | V | Lachlan Ferguson |
0-4 |
2-4 |
|
| Tim Crichton & Colin Ebelthite | V | Luke Saville & Todd Ley |
4-3 |
4-3 |
|
| Heath Perry & Jordan Kerr | V | Pan Kokkinakis & Lachlan Ferguson |
4-1 |
2-4 |
3-7 |
Flagstaff Freighters v Trinity Titans
|
Set 1 |
Set 2 |
TB |
|||
| Emily Webley-Smith | V | Leah Daw |
4-0 |
4-2 |
|
| Ashley Keir | V | Melanie Clayton |
3-4 |
4-1 |
10-8 |
| Olivia Lukasewicz | V | Melissa Beadman |
4-1 |
4-3 |
|
| Chloe Hule | V | Louise Stacey |
1-4 |
4-3 |
7-2 |
| Emily Webley-Smith & Olivia Lukasewicz | V | Leah Daw & Melanie Clayton |
-2 |
3-4 |
7-2 |
| Ashley Keir & Kimberly Ruxton | V | Amy Sneath & Kimberly Handley |
4-2 |
4-3 |
|
Channel 7 crossed live to Memorial Drive prior to tonight’s final to interview Luke Saville. To see the video head to http://au.news.yahoo.com/video/national/watch/27669154/
Photos: View the National Tennis League finals photo album
Media Enquiries:
Clare Chapman, Tennis SA, 0412 484 453
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