12 September 2023 | Tennis Victoria

Pennant Grand Finals, Saturday September 9 

After the showcase of the State Grade & Grade 1 Pennant Grand Finals, September 9 saw all of our other Pennant Grand Finals in an exciting finish to the competition. 

Women: 

The Women’s Grand Finals all took place at Royal South Yarra on Saturday morning, with all matches proving to be nail-biters. Grade 2 saw a battle of contrasting styles, but after splitting the doubles rubbers, Essendon brought home 3 of the 4 singles rubbers to take victory over Hawthorn. Doveton scored an impressive comeback victory against Monash Uni in Grade 3, winning all 3 singles rubbers to guarantee victory despite losing both doubles rubbers. Long rallies were the theme in Grade 4, and Overport Park’s strong start in the doubles rubbers set them on their way to a 3-2 win against Beaumaris. Finally, in what could be dubbed the ‘HE Parker Reserve derby’, the young talent was on full display as HE Parker Reserve 1 edged HE Parker Reserve 2 3-2. 

Men: 

Following the Women, the Men’s Grade 2-5 Grand Finals took place at Royal South Yarra in the afternoon. Beaumaris Lawn made up for their narrow defeat in the Grade 1 Grand Final last weekend with a clinical victory against Kooyong. Victories in both doubles rubbers was followed up by a victory at #3 singles and opening set wins at #1 and #4 singles which guaranteed victory. Competition frontrunners Mountain Gate Beavers capped off an impressive Grade 3 season by winning 4-2 against Kooyong, whilst Willison Park were too strong for Heathmont in Grade 5, leading 6-1 on sets when a result was reached. In undoubtedly the match of the day at Royal South Yarra on the Men’s side, the match between Essendon and Grace Park Hawthorn 2 was finally decided with a match tiebreak at #4 singles, with Nicholas Brown narrowly defeating Carlin Grant 10-7 to seal the result for Grace Park at 7.00pm. 

The Men’s Grade 6-9 Grand Finals were held at MCC Glen Iris Valley on Saturday afternoon. Maribyrnong Park had an extremely strong regular season in Grade 6, and hadn’t lost a match going into the GF against Wellington. However, the younger boys from Wellington had only lost once themselves, and dominated in the singles to take the win. Geelong Lawn and Melbourne Uni had played twice during the season in Grade 7, with the teenagers from Geelong Lawn winning both. However, Melbourne Uni played their best level in the Grand Final, and were too strong. Again, youth won out over experience in Grade 8, with Cranbourne going down to the wire taking out Liston. Cranbourne won tiebreakers at both #2 and #4 singles, which decided the day on a 4-2 win. Another two teams that played twice during the regular season, St. Christopher’s won against Grace Park in Grade 9. The teams had split their regular season match-ups and this one went down to the wire, with Ben Davoli sealing the result for St Christopher’s at 6.40pm. 

Beaumaris Lawn TC was the host for the Men’s Grade 10-12 Grand Finals. East Coburg produced a big upset, downing #1 seed Kyneton. Close rubbers were the theme all day, with the number 3 singles sealing the victory for East Coburg. Bundoora’s young brigade were too strong for Clifton Hill in Grade 11, dropping only one set in the opening four rubbers as they set their sights on bigger and better things in future seasons. Finally, in one of the closest matches for the day, Upwey South took out the Grade 12 title by just two games against Aintree, after being level on rubbers and sets. 

Masters: 

Grace Park Hawthorn Club was home to our three Masters Grand Finals. St Mary’s Greensborough used their positive momentum from the semi finals to record a comprehensive result against 1st placed Donvale in Grade 1. Yarraville will undoubtedly be eyeing off a Grade 1 place next season after a dominant finals campaign in Grade 2. Their 4-0 win in the Semi Final was backed up by a dominant Grand Final victory against Royal South Yarra 1, dropping just six games in the opening three rubbers before the win was secured. Finally, there was another upset result in Grade 3, with Dendy Park utilising the conditions effectively to defeat warm favourites Moomba Park 3-1.