GMLTA | Warriors win GM1 battle against Tigers

In front of a large crowd at Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club, Numurkah — which waited more than four decades to taste GM1 success in 2018-19 — once again lifted the competition’s prized shield.

“It’s a real thrill to be able to tick it off (GM1 title) again. Before we won it in ’18-19 the club had waited a long time, so to get two in three years is a massive achievement,” Numurkah captain Mark Mills said.

“It was a really good day for the club to have our GM2 side win as well. Unfortunately our GM3 side went down, but all in all it was a great day.”

Mills praised his outfit’s “team effort” in the decider against the Tigers.

The Warriors got off to a flying start in the men’s singles rubbers.

David Poole and Nick Fenaughty blitzed their opponents in sublime style.

Poole triumphed 8-1, before Fenaughty cruised to an 8-2 result.

“David and Nick kicked us off and got us off to a great start. The plan was to get them in first and set us up,” Mills said.

“They both played unbelievably well and looked to be hitting everything out of the middle.”

Two more rubber wins (8-7 and 8-2) by Jack Bassett and Mills had Numurkah hold a strong 32-12 lead.

A class 8-0 triumph from Eliza Long got the Tigers back in the contest.

However, Mills credited the 8-5 win by teammate Emily Buzza against Ash Andrews to be the turning point of the match.

Grant Chappell and Sabrina Lewicki pencilled in an 8-7 win in the final contest, which rubber-stamped Numurkah’s 20-game victory.

Mills said Buzza’s gutsy performance spurred on the rest of the Warriors’ line-up.

“We knew the girls would be up against it. Eliza and Ash are two very talented players,” he said.

“Em’s win against Ash in the singles really lifted the rest of the team and the crowd went off.

“It was just a real team effort, everyone won a rubber which was the most pleasing aspect.”