Sport

New year, same Shepparton North in SDTA restart

By Josh Huntly

Jan 19, 2026

Shepparton North's Kellie Crosier. Photo by Megan Fisher

While many embrace fresh starts in the new year, competition leader Shepparton North in the Shepparton & District Tennis Association is sticking with what works.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

In the first round of 2026, the Northerners picked up right where they left off, easing past McEwen Reserve Red in Friday’s round 11 encounter 6-48 to 3-30.

Dean Pritchett and Clark Pettigrew clinched the first set, before Pettigrew combined with Gary Harvey to expand the early lead to seven games.

Ben Ladson and Brett Collins fought back to claim a set for McEwen Reserve, but a commanding 6-1 victory for Kellie Crosser and Louise Dwyer opened up a significant lead for North that proved insurmountable for the visiting Red team.

North secured three of the final four sets in comprehensive fashion, maintaining their unbeaten eight-win run and top spot on the SDTA perch.

Meanwhile, McEwen Reserve Gold brought some valuable points back home after a dominant victory over Murchison to begin the year on a high note.

The duo of Thomas Caldow and Jonathan Hare claimed Murchison’s one and only set for the match in the first stanza of the day but it was all Gold from there, snaring seven sets on the trot to unseat the hosts 8-53 to 1-22.

In round 12, Shepparton North have the bye while McEwen Reserve Gold and Lemnos face off.

McEwen Reserve Red hosts Murchison.