The Average Joes started the contest against the top-of-the-table Rebels with a clean sweep of the men’s singles rubbers through Nick Gattuso (8-0), Kyle Anderson (8-4), Matthew Crittenden (8-3) and Troy Ranson (8-2) to leave Rich River reeling.
But Isabella Crossman marked her return to the Rebels with an 8-0 win over Jinaya Nurse in the fifth set to stem the bleeding, while Leanne More claimed the sixth set 8-5 over Fleur Nurse to continue the Rebels’ counterpunch.
However, Rich River’s fight-back was short-lived, with the men’s doubles all going the way of Shepparton.
Crossman capped off a strong performance with a women’s doubles victory alongside More (8-1) while also snaring a mixed doubles victory with Deagan Tomkins (8-2).
But, ultimately her efforts were in vain as the Average Joes claimed victory 8-72 to 4-55, dealing the Rebels their second loss of the season.
Across the courts, Echuca Lawn kept Shepparton Tropics at arm’s length for much of their contest, with Echuca’s singles representatives doing the damage early in their fourth straight win of the 2021-22 campaign.
Jordon Godfrey produced a scintillating set against Sam McKenzie-McHarg, winning 8-1 after Echuca dropped the first set of the day.
Fill-ins Zac Harris and Mitch Dodos then each came away with 8-5 victories before Phillipa Bush (8-7) and Sheree Starling (8-4) ensured Echuca walked away with the ladies’ singles as well.
The win moves Echuca a game clear into first with three games to go in the Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association season.
Meanwhile, Velvet Tigers continued their move up the ladder with an 8-85 to 4-64 victory over Shepparton Lawn Phoenix. They’ve now moved into third, level on points with next week’s opponent Rich River.
Numurkah Warriors had the round 10 bye, and while they still remain in fourth on two wins and two losses, that final spot in the division one top four is up for grabs with both Shepparton Tropics and Shepparton Average Joes on two wins apiece.
