CENTRAL Gippsland secured a John Fitzgerald Cup trifecta last week with a third consecutive triumph at the annual 13 and under boys tennis teams tournament in Ballarat.
Team captain Jack Clements (Inverloch) and Justin Hough (Traralgon) led the charge in their third straight appearance at the Victoria Country competition, and were this year joined by James Mercer (Inverloch) and Ben Grumley (Traralgon).
The foursome toppled Barwon in the final by five rubbers to one, winning 45 games to 19 across singles and doubles ties, in Central Gippsland’s fifth consecutive appearance in the championship match.
Justin, Jack and James went undefeated throughout the tournament, while Ben won all but one of his fixtures.
“It’s awesome basically (to win three), as well being excited it’s sort of a relief, going in as two time champions and coming out of it as three time as well was pretty good,” Justin said.
As members of the same tennis academy, coached by Graham Charlton, Justin said adjusting to a changing squad posed little problem.
“We dealt with it pretty fine… we’re used to each other and good mates,” he said.
“We’re all very experienced doubles players and because doubles takes up a lot of the points in the tournament system, and we’re all used to each other, it helps.”
A Country Victoria representative team, to compete at the Foundation Cup Interstate Challenge in Sydney in January, will be announced later this month based on the best performers at the tournament.
Lead player Jack, who did not lose a single match in three years of John Fitzgerald Cup competition, last year made the cut and all four players will be duly considered by selectors. Incoming team members Ben and James are eligible to play the event again next year, and will likely be joined by Justin’s brother Damien Hough.
“We’re looking very strong for a lot of years,” Charlton said.
The girls equivalent, the under 13 Foundation Cup, will be held in Sale this month.
