13 February 2018 | Tennis SA

The State League season is tightening up with a number of close matches played across Round 12. Glenlea won a thriller over Tea Tree Gully to keep their season alive. Tea Tree Gully’s number one Lawrence Bataljin had a three set win over Steve Clasohm to get his team off to a strong start. Glenlea’s Ben Mooney was able to get his team going with a comeback win over Tea Tree Gully’s Tyson Devine. Heading in to the doubles at two rubbers all it was the Glenlea’s pairing of Bianchet and Mooney at top doubles who were able to clinch the victory.

Trinity Gardens men kept their top placing intact after they snuck past a determined Memorial Drive line up. Trinity’s Li Tu started well for his team defeating Stefan Norodom at top single. Patrick Luke then got The Drive on the board with a solid win over Andrew Tavella at second single. At three rubbers to one after the singles, the match came down to the doubles where Trinity squeezed past to win the match on sets after rubbers were all square at three all.

Kingswood have put Collingrove’s hopes of finals in danger after they won a tight match four rubbers to two. With rubbers sitting at three rubbers to one after singles in Kingswood favour, it came down to the doubles. The pairing of Laka and Van Rens Burg won in straight sets to award Kingswood the victory.

In the ladies competition, Kingswood kept Flagstaff out of the top four. Flagstaff’s Elyse Edwards defeated Nikki Milner in straights sets at top single however Kingswood’s Tiana Glazbrook and Nicole Kraemer both had singles wins. At two rubbers all after the singles, the match was decided in the doubles where Kingswood had straight set wins.

The Drive ladies cannot be caught, dominating the competition and round 12 was no different when they defeated Goodwood six rubbers to none. Player of the Year contender Melanie Clayton lead the way for The Drive with a straight sets win over youngster Natasha Russell at top single. Melissa Beadman and Alana Repanich were impressive for The Drive with wins at number two and three single while Lucy Steinberner kept her consistent form with a win for The Drive at fourth single.

With two weeks of matches before finals the State League finals race in both the men’s and ladies competitions are heating up.

Phantom Tipsters prediction for Round 13 Winners