![BACKHAND: Epsom's Jack Baker. Epsom meets Spring Gully Butterflies in Friday night's BTA premier league second semi-final on the lawn courts in Barnard Street. Picture: NONI HYETT BACKHAND: Epsom's Jack Baker. Epsom meets Spring Gully Butterflies in Friday night's BTA premier league second semi-final on the lawn courts in Barnard Street. Picture: NONI HYETT](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/G3M3FqVFYHjdnjXX9zgHHX/bfa43109-9e7f-47a4-8970-fd4334823157.jpg/r0_424_2398_2829_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
SPRING Gully Butterflies face this season’s hoodoo, Epsom in Friday night’s start to the Bendigo Tennis Association’s premier league finals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Play in the Quest Bendigo Central-backed competition hits off at 5.15pm on the Bendigo Lawn Tennis Club courts in Barnard Street.
The Butterflies and Epsom will contest the second semi-final on courts five and six.
Defeated just five times in the regular season, Spring Gully is yet to triumph against Epsom.
A fortnight ago, Epsom scored a six-game win at Spring Gully.
The Butterflies won the number one and two singles through Jamie Brown and Matt Hartland against Jack Baker and Jono Guy, but Epsom’s Ben Bailey and Brad Slingo beat Bronwyn Osborne and Danielle Bowles.
A Premier League veteran, Brown has racked up a sets win-loss tally of 53-17 across 15 matches this season.
A talented Butterflies squad includes Craig Nolan and Lachlan Perdon.
Guy and Baker will feel the heat in the singles, but Epsom’s strength at three and four and in the doubles has played a significant factor in every contest with Spring Gully.
This season’s meetings:
Round 3: washed out.
Round 8: Epsom won 3-8-62 to 3-7-51.
Round 13: Epsom won 4-10-62 to 2-6-48.
Round 18: Epsom won 3-7-55 to 3-7-49.
• South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye will fight to keep their seasons alive in the first semi-final on courts seven and eight.
Their most recent battle was also a fortnight ago in which Strathfieldsaye won a thriller.
Scores were locked on three rubbers apiece as South led the games tally 57-56, but Strathfieldsaye won on sets, 8-7.
A strong Strathfieldsaye squad includes Michael Smyth, Terry Smith, Tova Penno, Nick Bath, Easton Smyth and Jeremy Abel.
South Bendigo has Grant Leader and Jordan Hicks in fine form, while Peter Somerville, Ryan Leader and Mick Mulgrew are capable of big matches.
This season’s meetings:
Round 2: South Bendigo won 4-9-62 to 2-4-40.
Round 7: Strathfieldsaye won 3-7-54 to 3-6-51.
Round 12: no play.
Round 17: Strathfieldsaye 3-8-56 to 3-7-57.