Sport
6 November, 2025
Heat and hard-fought sets define round three
Hot conditions set the scene for round three of the Ararat and District Tennis Association, with the temperature soaring and the competition just as fierce.
By Mel Murnane
At Buangor, the home side hosted Crowlands, who were returning fresh from a bye. The Buangor–Ararat men started strongly, taking control early and convincingly winning their section 33–15 games. However, Crowlands quickly swung the momentum with their ladies dominating the court with a 32–7 victory to put their team in a strong position heading into the mixed sets.
Crowlands carried a handy seven-game lead into the mixed section, but Buangor–Ararat wasn’t ready to concede. They fought back hard, winning three of the four mixed sets and taking the section overall. Despite their late surge, it wasn’t quite enough to steal the win, with Crowlands narrowly taking the match, 71–68 games and 6–4 match points in a thrilling finish.
Meanwhile, over at Amphitheatre, the Elmhurst–Amphitheatre team hosted long-time rivals Landsborough in a spirited clash. Both the men’s and ladies’ sections were tightly contested early, each side taking a set in the opening rounds. The standout moment came in the ladies’ number three and four set, where Elmhurst–Amphitheatre’s Mel Murnane and Natalie Thorne prevailed over Landsborough’s Cass Coffey and Rachael Austerberry in an epic tiebreaker that lasted an incredible hour and twenty minutes.
Elmhurst–Amphitheatre went on to secure both the men’s and ladies’ sections, heading into the mixed with a comfortable lead. Landsborough showed great determination in the mixed sets, highlighted by an impressive comeback from Claire Monaghan and Theo Browne, who overturned a 4–7 deficit to win 9–7 against Elmhurst–Amphitheatre’s top pairing, Bethany Fitzpatrick and Lyndon Tait. Despite the strong finish, Landsborough couldn’t bridge the gap, with Elmhurst–Amphitheatre taking the overall win, 92–62 games and 10 match points.
Next week, Maryborough will host Buangor–Ararat, while Crowlands will take on Landsborough. Elmhurst–Amphitheatre will enjoy a well-earned bye after their strong showing in the heat.
Results
Elmhurst/Amphithreatre (92-10) def Lansborough (62-0)
Mens
Lyndon Tait, Darryl Driscoll (8) def Theo Browne, Michael Mitchell (1)
Marlow Edgar, Mal Boatman (5) lost to Zayne Hall, Mat Jenkins (8)
L. Tait, M. Edgar (8) def T. Brown, Z. Hall (6)
D. Driscoll, M. Boatman (8) def M. Mitchell, M. Jenkins (3)
Ladies
Bethany Fitzpatrick, Lucy McLay (6) lost to Claire Monaghan, Courtney Ellen (8)
Mel Murnane, Natalie Thorne (9) def Racael Austerberry, Cass Coffey (8)
B. Fitzpatrick, M. Murnane (8) def C. Monaghan, R. Austerberry (1)
L. McLay, N. Thorne (8) def C. Ellen, C. Coffey (2)
Mixed
L. Tait, B. Fitzpatrick (7) lost to T. Browne, C. Monaghan (9)
D. Driscoll, L. McLay (8) lost to M. Mitchell, C. Ellen (5)
M. Edgar, M. Murnane (8) def Z. Hall, R. Austerberry (3)
M. Boatman, N. Thorne (9) def M. Jenkins, C. Coffey (8)
Buangar/Ararat (68-4) lost to Crowlands (71-6)
Mens
Tim Hartwich, Chris Hartwich (8) def Doug Newberry, Julia Harricks (2)
Ross McGregor, Wayne Hoare (9) def Kieth Boatman, Chris Frampton (7)
T. Hartwich, R. McGregor (8) def D. Newberry, K. Boatman (4)
C. Hartwich, W. Hoare (8) def J. Harricks, C. Frampton (2)
Womens
Kim Hartwich, Sabaya Woods (1) lost to Kate Vance, Jess Frampton (8)
Isobel Leggett, Muffy Dyter (0) lost to Mary Lou Boatman, Alana Newberry (8)
K. Hartwich, I. Leggett (2) lost to K. Vance, M. Boatman (8)
S. Woods, M. Dyer (4) lost to J. Frampton, A. Newberry (8)
Mixed
T. Hartwich, K. Hartwich (8) def D. Newberry, K. Vance (4)
C. Hartwich, S. Woods (8) def K. Boatman, J. Frampton (6)
R. McGregor, I. Leggett (8) def C. Frampton, M. Boatman (6)
W. Hoare, M. Dyer (4) lost to J. Harricks, A. Newberry (8)
Read More: Ararat, Buangor, Landsborough