The final four is now settled after Wahgunyah defeated Rutherglen on Saturday and snuffed out any hope of back to back flags for Rutherglen.
Rutherglen were up and about early and took the lead after the first 3 sets, only to be reeled in by Wahgunyah after the next 3 sets.
With 3 sets remaining Wahgunyah held a 4 game advantage and were determined not to let the lead slip from their grasp.
Wahgunyah won 2 of the remaining sets comfortably to put the icing on cake and win by 7 games. Wahgunyah’s best were Mareeta Corcoran (3 sets), Jaxx Johnstone, Kylie Greig and Travis McDonald. Rutherglen’s best were Scott Francis (3sets), Skye Somerville, Alex Gneil and Jono Keys.
Everton entrenched themselves in the top four with a convincing win over Boorhaman.
Boorhaman were no match for the experience and youthful exuberance of the Everton team, although Boorhaman were unlucky not to put a couple of sets on the scoresheet (losing a couple of tiebreak sets) but it was the steadiness in a crisis that saw Everton hold their nerve and win the tiebreak sets.
Everton’s best were Russell Bennett, Jo Lucas, Gene Williams and Eleisha Fraser.
Boorhaman were best served by Dale Robinson, Shirley Fuller, Darren Saward and Cathy Van Berlo. The 2 top teams Wang Hardcourt and Corowa, went head to head as a prelude to the Grand Final at Ball Park and to gain a psychological advantage with the finals looming.
It was Wang Hardcourt that gained that advantage after they held on for a thrilling 7 game victory. Wang Hardcourt held the early ascendancy but Corowa weren’t to be denied and managed to edge themselves in front by 4 games with 3 sets to play.
With the game in the balance Wang Hardcourt set about dismantling the Corowa game and when Di Lucas and Marika Van Stekelenburg won 8-1 the match was all but over, and when the Lucas boys (Andy and Chris) won 8-3 , Corowa’s fate was sealed and a Hardcourt victory was ensured. Hardcourt’s best were Chris Lucas (3 sets), Di Lucas and Scott Solimo.
Corowa’s best were Marianne Spencer (3 sets), Ray Hemphill and Jo Brooks.
Section 3
Wooragee (Mark Knoth, Ian McVea, Dean Bensted, Eiyish McRostie) went within a whisker of causing the boilover of the season when they lost by 2 games to Wahgunyah Wranglers (Wayne Johnstone, Josh Parker, Ryan Eyers, Mitch Parker).
It was nip and tuck all day but Wranglers always with their heads in front managed to hold off the fast finishing Wooragee team.
Wahgunyah United (Brian Jones, Brad Schmidt, Erinne Lutz, Jen Schmidt) were too good for Wahgunyah Deep Heat (Jacob Palmer, Josh Reid, Kath Blade, Kendall Reid) on Saturday and were comfortable winners.
Results
Section 1
Wang Hardcourt 5-52 def Corowa 4-45, Everton 9-72 def Boorhaman 0-21, Wahgunyah 5-53 def Rutherglen 4-46.
Section 3
Wahgunyah United 6-48 def Wahgunyah Deep Heat 0-26, Wahgunyah Wranglers 3-41 def Woorgaee 3-39.
Under 15
Corowa Hewitt 7-42 def Rutherglen Red 0-13, Wahgunyah 6-41 def Corowa Barty 1-13.
Ladders
Section 1
Wang Hardcourt 98, Corowa 82, Wahgunyah 61, Everton 57, Rutherglen 42 and Boorhaman 19.
Section 3
Wahgunyah Wranglers 65, Wooragee 47.5, Wahgunyah United 43 and Wahgunyah Deep Heat 12.5.
Under 15
Wahgunyah 63, Corowa Hewitt 61, Rutherglen Red 37, Rutherglen White 23 and Corowa Barty 6.