9 January 2013 | Tennis Victoria

Barwon Region has battled searing heat and tough opposition to leave Swan Hill for the surf coast with their fifth consecutive and  22^nd Victorian Inter-regional Country Championships trophy.

Barwon had 19 players competing in the 34 event finals, winning 14 to post a huge total of 232 points, well clear of second placed Goulburn Region (186), and South West Region (182) in third.

The Cooke Shield for most improved region went to the hosts, Northern Mallee region, who were gallant in fifth place on their home turf with some impressive results including two event wins.

This year’s tournament was one of the toughest in recent memory, with competitors needing all their skills and stamina to battle scorching heat for most of the three days. Tournament officials suspended play due to the heat rule on a number of occasions each afternoon as temperatures soared into the mid-40s.

Barwon’s Team Manager Mick Mullen was a busy man on the final morning, overseeing a sea of navy blue shirts across the lush lawn courts at Swan Hill as they dominated the final morning’s play.

Women’s Open Singles winner Carolyn McGann lead the way in the seniors with a blistering 6-0 6-1 victory in the final over Sarah O’Keefe (South West), before she took out the doubles title with partner Rachel Le Maitre

Barwon controlled the junior division, taking home 14 titles of which three were all-Barwon affairs. Jordan Drew had an amazing tournament, winning the 18/U singles and doubles, while he was also runner-up in the mixed event.

The Men’s Open Singles match was a scratchy affair by their own admissions, but Loddon Campaspe’s Curt Garwood was too good for Aidan Fitzgerald 7-5 6-3, taking out a record sixth men’s crown to become one of the event’s most accomplished players.

There were a number of standout performances in an exciting tournament.  Goulburn’s David Starling and Hope Curtis-McDonald achieved the treble of a singles, doubles and mixed titles which ultimately guided their region into second place. Hope partnered with her brother James to win the mixed, giving their family four trophies for the mantelpiece.

Next year, the 58^th running of the Inter-regionals will be held at Mt.Prospect Tennis Club in Creswick. It will be a hard act to follow Swan Hill Lawn Tennis Club, with on and off court hospitality from the club and Northern Mallee region committee and volunteers outstanding, they have set a new benchmark for the running of the event.

For full draws,  final results and further information, visit our Inter-regionals page.

Check out some of the great photos from the event on our Tennis Victoria Facebook page.