Reigning premier Echuca 1 hosted Rich River 1, and while it wasn’t an entirely one-sided affair, the defending champion was able to continue its unbeaten title defence, clinching an 8-5 win.
The two sides split the men’s doubles with Nick Bush falling 2-6 to Andrew Crossman before Shane Coatsworth got the home side on the board with a 6-4 win over Steve Rawlings.
Stephen Hope further advanced the overall ledger Echuca’s way, claiming wins in both his doubles matches, first alongside Coatsworth to win 8-1 before pairing Roger Carmody to and 8-2 win.
Crossman and Alyssa Moss claimed an 8-6 victory for Rich River in their doubles match, as did Rawlings and Abby Pycroft, who won 8-4 in their mixed doubles match.
Vicki Bavich claimed wins in both of her doubles matches also to push Echuca 1 ahead, and close out the head-to-head contest 8-5 and put win number two on the board.
Echuca 1 will face Rochester 1 in a battle of the undefeated teams in round three, hoping to keep hold of top spot on the ladder, while Rich River will aim to secure its first win of the season when it takes on Echuca 2.
Echuca 2 vs Echuca 3
It was a resounding win for Echuca 2 as the side faced clubmates Echuca 3, claiming an 11-2 overall win.
Chris Milnes was involved in both of Echuca 3’s wins, first combining with Joshua Hunter to beat the Echuca 2 combination of Ryan More and Daryl Poole 8-5, before joining Hugh Melville in defeating Poole and Chris Potter 8-2.
They would remain the only wins Echuca 3 would have for the day, as Echuca 2 was able to carve out some emphatic victories across the board.
Genevieve Bush and Lucy Higgins claimed their doubles match 8-0, while Shaun Trice won to love in his singles match also.
Daryl Poole and Higgins teamed up for an 8-1 mixed doubles win, while Higgins also paired Judy Poole for an 8-1 win in the women’s doubles rubber.
Echuca 2 will face Rich River 1 next week away from home as it looks to lock in consecutive victories, while Echuca 3 will face LBU 1 in its quest for its first win of the year.
Rochester 1 vs LBU 1
Rochester 1 remains undefeated at the end of round two following a close-fought win over Lockington-Bamawm United 1.
Playing at home, Tobie Woodfine put Rochester on the board with a tense 7-6 win over Harrison Condliffe, while Daryl Squires hit back for LBU with a 7-5 win over Lachlan Smith in the other men’s singles match.
Woodfine completed a hattrick of victories for Rochy, partnering Rachael Major for an 8-4 mixed doubles win, as well as claiming an 8-5 men’s doubles triumph alongside Justin Coghill.
Katie Condliffe and Narelle Bacon pinched an 8-7 doubles rubber for LBU, while Melissa Haines won a further two matches for LBU, alongside Grant Humbert and Ian Haines respectively.
Kate Lee, Shane Bywaters, Michelle Winchcomb and Karen Taylor were also prominent for Rochester, each playing a part in various other doubles wins as their side recorded an overall 8-5 victory to cement second spot on the ladder.
It will be a tough task ahead of Rochester next week if they are to stay undefeated through three rounds, coming up against fellow undefeated side and reigning premier Echuca 1, while Rich River will play Echuca 2, with both sides vying for their second win of the season.
