THE penultimate round off Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Croquet and Pickleball Club’s senior aggregate tennis competition was battled out on the weekend, and it’s tight at the top. In section one, Ryan Patterson continued his march towards the title with a 21-12 result, ahead of Kevin Callahan (19-15) and Mark Wettern (18-17). Mark Brown came in with a respectable 17-16, while Jono Keys had a tough day with his 9-24. Top honour in section two was split between Riley Minns and Dave Postlethwaite, both on 22-16. Matt Curran broke even on 19-19, while Andrew Lindner (18-20) and Mario Pane (15-24) rounded out the section. Colin Mackay was the man to beat in section three, running out ahead of the pack with his 24-12 score. Lance Crockett wasn’t too far behind on 19-16, while Mike Lairson finished even on 17-17. Mandy Allen (14-21) and Thomas McDonald (14-22) brought up the rear. Section four saw another split decision, with Ashley Weston and John Mansfield each coming in with scores of 21-17. Frank Harris was just off the pace with his 20-18, while Mason Scholes recorded 14-24. Andrew Cope continued his strong form in section five, finishing with 24-16 ahead of Pat Flynn on 20-20. Greg Renner (19-21) and Mark Gorman (17-22) also had strong returns. Section six saw Phil Dryden (22-12) and Des Steele (20-19) perform well at the top, with Russell Canning (17-18), Tim Dickinson (17-18), and Sue Piper (17-19) not far behind. In section seven, Amy Lairson came in with a score of 20-12, more than accounting for Terry Flynn and Max McAuliffe on 18-14. James Wilkinson had a tough day with 8-24. Rounding out the group in section eight, John Shanley (23-14) and Mick Keogh (22-16) were the ones to beat. Robyn Snowdon fought hard for her 18-24, and finished just ahead of Geoff Davidson on 17-21, and Victor Lairson on 16-21. With one round remaining in the season, to be played on Saturday, 29 March, the battle is on for top aggregate scores. In the overall standings there are only three games separating the top three players Ryan Patterson, Mark Gorman and Andrew Cope. Other players looking for the minor placings include Mark Brown, Peter Curran and Pat Flynn. The top lady in the competition is a two-way race between Sue Piper and Amy Lairson, and it may go down to the wire in the final round. The presentations will be held at the end of play this Saturday, with the awards for club champions and aggregate winners. Results Section: 1 Ryan Patterson 21-12, Kevin Callahan 19-15, Mark Wettern 18-17, Mark Brown 17-16, Jono Keys 9-24. Section: 2 Riley Minns 22-16, Dave Postlethwaite 22-16, Matt Curran 19-19, Andrew Lindner 18-20, Mario Pane 15-24. Section: 3 Colin Mackay 24-12, Lance Crockett 19-16, Mike Lairson 17-17, Mandy Allen 14-21, Thomas McDonald 14-22. Section: 4 Ashley Weston 21-17, John Mansfield 21-17, Frank Harris 20-18, Mason Scholes 14-24. Section: 5 Andrew Cope 24-16, Pat Flynn 20-20, Greg Renner 19-21, Mark Gorman 17-22. Section: 6 Phil Dryden 22-12, Des Steele 20-19, Russell Canning 17-18, Tim Dickinson 17-18, Sue Piper 17-19. Section: 7 Amy Lairson 20-12, Terry Flynn 18-14, Max McAuliffe 18-14, James Wilkinson 8-24. Section: 8 John Shanley 23-14, Mick Keogh 22-16, Robyn Snowdon 18-24, Geoff Davidson 17-21, Victor Lairson 16-21.
