General News
1 November, 2024
Eagles bomb: association down to four teams
LODDON Eagles have pulled out of Inglewood and District Tennis Association one match into the season. The Inglewood-based team cobbled together a side for Saturday’s clash with co-tenant Powlett with fill-in players from Fentons Creek. News of the...
LODDON Eagles have pulled out of Inglewood and District Tennis Association one match into the season.
The Inglewood-based team cobbled together a side for Saturday’s clash with co-tenant Powlett with fill-in players from Fentons Creek.
News of the withdrawal came on Sunday from association scorer Chris Smith.
“Loddon Eagles have had to withdraw from the competition as there are not enough players to field a team each week,” she said.
Eagles had a bye in the opening round of the season and all round two matches were abandoned when rain made the Inglewood courts unplayable.
The withdrawal reduces Inglewood association to four teams - Powlett, Korong Vale and the Wedderburn sides of Fentons Creek and Wedderburn Junction.
Association officials have spent the week revising its season’s draw.
Secretary Suzie Lockhart said: “It’s sad that Eagles have been unable to muster the numbers. We were aware they had challenges but remained hopeful the team would continue and we offered to assist with players by clubs with the bye.”
She said the season’s final series was expected to be reduced to a clash between the top two sides to decide the premiers.
“We are also looking to have a special gather round to finish off the season, bringing all clubs together,” she said.
Suzie said other clubs remained in a good position. “Korong Vale is back with good numbers after a couple of leaner seasons.”
The Eagles are the second club in three years to leave the association.
Serpentine switched to Loddon Valley after the 2021-2022 season in a bid to provide junior pathways.
Inglewood and Loddon Valley associations play on grass while Loddon teams Derby, Woodstock and Newbridge are in the hardcourt Marong association.
Calivil withdrew from the Loddon Valley competition last year after battling player numbers. Team numbers have also halved in recent years in the Boort Lawn Tennis Club competition.
Meanwhile, there has been strong interest for a junior doubles’ tournament being run by the Pyramid Hill club next month.