Tennis
20 October, 2025
Central Park remains undefeated, St Michaels secures first win
Round three of the Central Wimmera Tennis Association took place last week, with St Michaels recording their first victory this season in the pennant competition, while Central Park defeated reigning premiers Horsham Lawn.
Playing at Kalkee, St Michaels managed to edge out the home side 8-6.
The visitors struck early, winning three out of the opening four doubles sets, as Steve Schultz and Peter Hayes defeated Jordan Friberg and Grant Schultz 8-1, Mia Rees and Kassie Peachey beat Meaghan Pohlner and Keeley Schultz 8-3, Eli Bailey and Nick Robertson defeated Luke Byrne and Jeff Friberg 8-5, while Emily Polack and Debbie Lawson secured Kalkee’s first win as thet defeated Violet McGennisken and Barb Crough 8-4.
St Michaels continued their stronghold in the singles, as Steve Schultz defeated Jordan Friberg 8-2, Eli Bailey just overcame Luke Byrne 8-7, Mia Rees beat Meaghan Pohlner 8-4, while Kalkee’s Emily Polack defeated Violet McGennisken 8-5, meaning St Michaels led 6-2 with the remaining six doubles matches to play.
Kalkee managed four more wins, as Grant Schultz and Jeff Friberg beat Peter Hayes and Nick Robertson 8-5, Keeley Schultz and Debbie Lawson defeated Kassie Peachey and Barb Crough 8-6, Jordan and Jeff Friberg beat Steve Schultz and Nick Robertson 8-6, and Emily Polack and Keeley Schultz defeated Violet McGennisken and Kassie Peachey 8-4.
St Michaels produced two additional victories to secure the win: Mia Rees and Barb Crough defeated Meaghan Pohlner and Debbie Lawson 8-3, and Eli Bailey and Peter Hayes overcame Luke Byrne and Grant Schultz 8-5.
Horsham Lawn hosted Central Park, where the visitors reversed the outcome of last year’s grand final to win 9-5.
The opening four doubles games saw Central Park establish a 3-1 lead.
Willow Sainsbury and Sienna Nitschke defeated Ella Thompson and Gemma Walker 8-3, Frazer Shurdingont and Brendan Nitschke beat August Koch and Graeme Wood 8-5, and Adele Joseph and Tara McIntyre defeated Lydi Boyd and Daniella Gillespie 8-4, with Horsham Lawn’s Jae McGrath and Lachlan Punchard defeating Harry Allan and Reece Harman 8-4.
Central Park asserted their authority in the singles, winning all four sets.
Harry Allan overcame Jae McGrath in an 8-7 thriller, Frazer Shurdington beat August Koch 8-1, Willow Sainsbury defeated Elal Thompson 8-3, and Adele Joseph was dominant in her 8-0 victory over Lydi Boyd.
Horsham Lawn made up some ground in the remaining doubles: Lachlan Punchard and Graeme Wood defeated Reece Harman and Brendan Nitschke 8-3, Gemma Walker and
Daniella Gillespie beat Sienna Nitschke and Tara McIntyre 8-3, Jae McGrath and Graeme Wood beat Harry Allan and Brendan Nitschke 8-2, and August Koch and Lachlan Punchard defeated Frazer Shurdington and Reece Harman 8-3.
Helping secure the victory for Central Park were Willow Sainsbury and Tara McIntyre, who overcame Ella Thompson and Daniella Gillespie 8-4, and Adele Joseph and Sienna Nitschke, who beat Lydi Boyd and Gemma Walker 8-3.
Central Park’s win pushed them clear at the top of the ladder, followed by Central Park, St Michaels and Kalkee.
In other senior grades, Horsham Lawn O’Connor remains undefeated in A special, Horsham Lawn McGennisken are unbeaten in A grade, and Horsham Lawn Savage are placed just ahead of Central Park on the B Special ladder.
