STRATHFIELDSAYE raised the premiership cup after Saturday’s stunning victory against South Bendigo in the Bendigo Tennis Association’s premier league grand final.
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Beaten in both previous contests with South Bendigo this season, Strathfieldsaye defied the underdog status to score a 10-game victory on the William Loud complex hardcourts in Nolan Street.
The Aidan Fitzgerald-led Strathfieldsaye won four of six rubbers and led the sets-games tally, 9-61 to 6-51.
It was a remarkable turnaround from a 27-game loss to South Bendigo in the semi-final.
Fitzgerald and Lachlan Perdon did not play in the semi and both played significant roles in the premiership victory.
The number one singles clash ended in a 6-4 6-1 win by Fitzgerald against Jordan Hicks.
Connor Gledhill won a great battle with Strathfieldsaye veteran Michael Smyth, 7-6 3-6 10-8.
The third rubber went to a tie-breaker as Perdon led Grant Leader, 6-4 6-7 10-8.
Nick Bath put Strathfieldsaye in control after a 6-0 6-3 win against Mick Mulgrew.
In the doubles, Hicks and Gledhill teamed up for a 6-0 6-3 win against Casey Fleming and Tova Penno.
Fitzgerald and Smyth beat Leader and Mick Mulgrew, 6-4 4-6 11-9 to compete a remarkable end to the season.
BTC Infants outpointed Axedale in the division one grand final 7-66 to 3-41.