12 January 2016 | Tennis Victoria

The team from the coastal region of Barwon have taken out an incredible eighth consecutive Tennis Victoria Inter-regional Country Championship title.

Swan Hill Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club hosted the event’s 60^th edition, with Barwon coming out on top once again – this time against eight other country regions including Loddon, Gippsland, Mornington, Goulburn and Wimmera.

Barwon (257 pts) won 13 titles and claimed 10 runner up placings across the singles, doubles and mixed doubles events, finishing on top of the aggregate points tally by a convincing 49 points.

Goulburn were runners up on 208 points while host team Northern Mallee finished third on 172 points and were also rewarded with the Cooke Shield for Most Improved Region.

“By winning the Inter-regional Country Championships for the 8^th consecutive occasion, Barwon Region have put themselves in the history books. No country tennis region has achieved this feat,” said Executive Manager – Tennis Operations Nick Hinneberg.

“From their junior players to Open and Senior ranks, they are certainly a formidable team and once again, deserve their team win. We congratulate them on their success.”

Geelong’s Matt Hicks successfully defended his Open singles title, downing East Gippsland’s Aidan Fitzgerald 1-6 6-2 6-2, before pairing with Adam Lasky to take home a second doubles title over Goulburn’s Jarrod Bingham/ Luke Dixon (6-3 6-2).

In the women’s Open event, Bendigo’s Eliza Long dominated taking home three country championship titles.

Long defeated 16-year-old Olivia Ryan 6-4 6-1 to claim the singles crown, and paired with Jess Hartland to win the doubles event over Ryan and Nicole Mullen (6-4 6-2).

Long then backed up for a third victory alongside Isaac Watson in the mixed doubles. The duo toppled East Gippsland’s Aidan Fitzgerald/Sophie Vickers 6-4 6-2.

• Results.
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