By David Nagel
Pakenham is celebrating a clean sweep of Section 1 and Section 2 premierships in the West Gippsland Tennis Association (WGTA) after the Wednesday Night Summer competition came to an exciting conclusion last week.
In Section 1, spectators were treated to top-quality tennis as Pakenham Purple staged a stunning comeback against Drouin Gold at the Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre.
Trailing 3-1, Pakenham fought back to level the match at three sets apiece, clinching the title on games, 32-28.
Craig Sankey and Jason Hoghton won a crucial fifth set for Pakenham 6/2, before Andrew Peart and Ross Smith claimed the premiership with a 6/4 victory in the final set of the season.
Meanwhile, in Section 2, Pakenham set the pace early, taking both sets in the first rubber with Crisanto Lestino, Rajan Thangam, Thomas Kauffeld and Fabin Kallarakkal all playing some solid tennis.
Bunyip responded with a dominant 6-0 set win in the second rubber through Tyson Dennis and Darrell McCaughey, but Pakenham held firm in the final rubber; securing a 4-2 sets victory with only six games separating the teams.
It was a fantastic night of tennis, marking another brilliant West Gippy summer season.
A huge thanks to Gordon for once again delivering a well-organised and enjoyable competition!
-Vanessa Kent, WGTA Secretary-
• SECTION 1 GRAND FINAL
PAKENHAM PURPLE V DROUIN GOLD
Pakenham Purple Team: Craig Sankey (1), Andrew Peart (2), Ross Smith (3), Jason Hoghton (4).
Drouin Gold Team: Brodie Wyatt (1), Tim Bloye (2), Paul Sen (3), Joshua Bloye (4).
Set 1 (1 & 2): Drouin Gold 7/6
Set 2 (3 & 4): Pakenham 6/2
Set 3 (1 & 3): Drouin Gold 6/2
Set 4 (2 & 4): Drouin Gold 7/6
Set 5 (1 & 4): Pakenham 6/2
Set 6 (2 & 3): Pakenham 6/4
Final Score: PAKENHAM 3 sets, 32 games def Drouin 3 sets, 28 games.
• SECTION 2 GRAND FINAL
PAKENHAM V BUNYIP
Pakenham Team: Crisanto Lestino (1), Rajan Thangam (2), Thomas Kauffeld (3), Fabin Kallarakkal (4).
Bunyip Team: Tyson Dennis (1), Brett Stephens (2), Darrell McCaughey (3), Ian Balfour (4).
Set 1 (1 & 2): Pakenham 6/4
Set 2 (3 & 4): Pakenham 6/2
Set 3 (1 & 3): Bunyip 6/0
Set 4 (2 & 4): Pakenham 6/0
Set 5 (1 & 4): Pakenham 6/4
Set 6 (2 & 3): Bunyip 7/5
Final Score: PAKENHAM 4 sets, 29 games def Bunyip 2 sets, 23 games.
