A RATHER chilly, windy day greeted the Euroa and District Ladies Winter Tennis Association (EDLWTA) semifinalists and spectators last Monday. Mansfield’s Team Wappan, who finished on top of the ladder were up against fourth-placed Benalla, while second-placed Terip Terip were going into battle against third-placed Euroa. Wappan versus Benalla 5, 42 – 1, 23 Wappan broke new ground to reach the top of the ladder for the first time since entering the competition six years ago. Wappan began strongly, winning the first two sets, but Benalla bounced back leading four to one and five to one in the second pairings before succumbing to Wappan’s pressure, who were concerned things were slipping away. Anna Speirs, Jenny Bell, Kimberley Marsden and Rhonda Carpenter fought hard and after a lengthy battle took these two sets eight to six and eight to five, leaving Benalla wondering what had happened. Peta Kelly, Claire Sharp, Maureen Jewell and Marg Clode played the first two rounds and Deb Siggers stepped in to replace Claire in the final set after a back issue had Claire turn into a spectator. In the final round, Kelly and Clode raced off to a seven to zero lead against Speirs and Carpenter before two games were added to Wappan’s score. Worried that the set might slip away again, Benalla finished it off taking the one and only set for the day, with Wappan now into the Grand Final. Terip Terip versus Euroa 5, 46 – 1, 13 Terip Terip’s team of Cindy Hayes, Frances Lawrence, Phoebe McDermid and Jenny Martin showed Euroa’s players, Faye Mollison, Julie Harrington, Triona King and Mary Kelly they were a force to be reckoned with, taking the first four sets convincingly. The last two sets were one apiece, leaving Terip winners on the day. Spectators were rugged up with scarves, beanies and even wrapped in a blanket, with all the heat out on the courts, and were treated to some entertaining tennis. With Wappan and Terip now up against each other in the Grand Final on Monday, specatators will be in for a ripper of a match. Congratulations to Wappan and Terip Terip on making it to the big Grand Final.
