Section 1 Premiers – Corowa: Back Row from left - Ray Hemphill, Jamie Almond, Jo Matthews and Peter Filliponi. Front Row from left - Greg Filliponi, Melissa Rhodes, Jo Brooks and Marianne Spencer.
Section 1
The grand final could not have started any worse for Wang Hardcourt, as Corowa asserted their authority on proceedings early, winning the first 4 sets to take a commanding lead.
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Corowa looked confident and it appeared nothing was going to stop their march towards the premiership flag.
The mood in the Hardcourt camp was downcast and there was even talk of an early day, as Corowa's lead became foremost in their thoughts. But for some unknown reason the fortunes began to turn in Hardcourt’s favour, as they won the next two sets to provide a faint glimmer of hope heading in the mixed sets.
The mood had improved in Hardcourt's camp, but the assignment still seemed out of their reach, as they needed to win all three mixed sets to at least force a super tiebreak or possibly achieve a miracle victory outright.
Hardcourt started well, winning the first mixed to finish 8-4 while the struggle continued on courts 1 and 2.
The two remaining sets were always in the balance as each team had the ascendancy then it would swing in the other direction, to provide both supporter groups with anxious moments.
A fist pump from Scott Solimo gave the Hardcourt group hope as they won the set in a tight tiebreak, which meant that they couldn't win outright, as the final set was also in another tense tiebreak, the only scenario available was win the tiebreak and force a super tiebreak.
Corowa were in front early in the tiebreak, but the steady hands and calmness of Mario Pane and Kerrie Henderson prevailed for Hardcourt.
Corowa's Peter Filliponi and Marianne Spencer were pitted against Mario and Kerrie to decide the final.
Peter and Marianne were away quickly and held a mini break and then extended that to a 3-point lead with aggressive and calculated shots, Hardcourt then clawed their way back to within striking distance, but the Peter and Marianne regrouped and scraped home 10-8 in the Super tiebreak to give an emotional victory.
Peter Filliponi and Marianne Spencer were outstanding all day for Corowa, while Hardcourt’s Scott Solimo, Andy Lucas and Denise Goodwin never gave up.
Corowa - Marianne Spencer, Jo brooks, Melissa Rhodes, Peter Filliponi, Greg Filliponi, Jamie Almond, Ray Hemphill.
Wang Hardcourt - Kylie Doig, Kerrie henderson, Denise Goodwin, Mario Pane, Scott Solimo, Andy Lucas.
Section 3
Section 3 Premiers- Wahgunyah Wranglers: From left - Scott Parker, Josh Parker, Wayne Johnstone and Mitch Parker.
Wahgunyah Wranglers (Scott Parker, Wayne Johnstone, Josh Parker, Mitch Parker) and Wooragee (Mark Knoth, Ian McVea, Dean bensted, Eiylish McRostie) also produced a nail biting finish to their match.
Wooragee led early then Wranglers levelled the ledger as both teams won 8-3. Wrangler's Scott and Mitch Parker put the team well up with an 8-1 win while Wooragee could only manage an 8-5 win, with two sets to play the result was still in doubt but Wranglers held a four-game advantage.
The tension in the air could have been cut with a knife as the two teams battled away and as the length of each set began to stretch out it was apparent that the result was going to the wire.
Wranglers believed that if they won one of the two remaining sets they would hold on for victory and when Wooragee's Mark Knoth and Dean Bensted eased past Wrangler's Scott and Josh Parker, and with the final set entering into a tiebreak set, the pressure was on.
All supporters and players were aware of the situation, whoever prevailed in the tie break would take spoils. Both pairs had their chances to take commanding leads, but nerves and luck reduced the final few points to a war of attrition with long extended rallies as neither team was prepared to attack.
Wranglers Wayne Johnstone and Mitch Parker held on for a 9-7 win to deny Wooragee their maiden NERTA flag.
Under 15
Under 15 Premiers – Wahgunyah: From left - Jaxx Johnstone, Josh Parker, Will Bergin and Millie Eales. (Hugh Bergin absent).
Wahgunyah's (Josh Parker, Jaxx Johnstone, Will Bregin, Millie Eales) proved too good for Corowa Hewitt (Ollie Matthews, Hudson Bilney, Jayden French, Oscar Rowe). The actual difference between the teams isn't reflected by the score, Corowa pushed Wahgunyah and with a bit of luck they could easily have been a lot closer on the scoresheet.
Both teams played the game in the spirit that it should be played, and the sportsmanship was apparent between all players. Both sides have players that will develop into very good players if they continue to practice and continue to enjoy the sport.
Results
Section 1
Corowa 4-60 def Wang Hardcourt 5-57 (Super Tiebreak 10-8).
