The Andy Bay Sharks kept their unbeaten streak in the Dunedin premier men’s competition alive as they won the local derby against Andy Bay Vets at the weekend.
The lower order of Lachie Kenneally and Matt Rusher dropped only five games in total against Bryce Hoffman and Jared Collins, giving the Sharks the perfect start.
However, the Vets’ top order evened things up at 2-2 with two impressive wins.
Sasha Melentijivec-Vague was able to win 7-5, 6-3 against a rejuvenated Mike Smith.
Sergey Sanin then used his experience to beat Matthew Campbell 6-3, 7-5.
Going into doubles, the tie was even on matches and sets, but the Sharks were ahead on games.
The bottom doubles combo of Smith and Campbell shut the door on the contest as they beat Hoffman and Collins 6-0, 6-1, giving the Vets a 3-3 countback win.
In the other men’s tie, Balmacewen 1 faced off against Balmacewen 2.
In the top singles, Hugo Barsby (Balmacewen 2) met Albert Hailes (Balmacewen 1) in the match of the weekend.
The first two sets were split and featured great shot-making from both players.
However, Hailes was able to use his experience to fend off Barsby in the third set, winning the match 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.
Gerard Farell returned for Balmacewen 2 to beat William Bourne 6-3, 6-2 in the No2 singles.
With the bottom two singles split, the tie was locked at 2-2 going into doubles with Balmacewen 2 ahead by one set.
The veteran pair of Farrell and Nick Cutfield got the job done for Balmacewen 2 as they beat Saul Moore and Olaf Bork 6-2, 6-2, giving the team their first win of the season.
In the women’s competition, Taieri kept their championship hopes alive, beating Balmacewen 3-1.
In the top singles, Ella Richardson (Balmacewen) was able to battle through a tight first set before winning against Taieri’s Emma Jackson 7-5, 6-0.
Taieri pulled back a match in the doubles as the experienced Willa Faber and Sonia Alexanian were too strong for Billie Fraser and Tessa Richardson, winning 6-2, 6-2.
In the second singles, Willa Faber rolled back the years as she beat junior Billie Fraser 6-1, 6-0, giving Taieri an unassailable lead.
In the other women’s tie, Andy Bay completed a 3-1 victory of Mornington, keeping their winning streak for the season intact.
— Paddy Ou
