mmg.com.au

Even failing light and the wind could not stop Shepparton North from continuing to make its mark early in Shepparton District Tennis Association’s season.

Shepparton North is tied on points with pennant ladder-leader McEwen Reserve Opal following its win over McEwen Reserve Gold at McEwen Reserve on Friday night.

Clark Pettigrew (6-1), Lauren Baldi (6-2) and Hannah Dainton (6-3) all enjoyed singles victories, but Pettigrew was quick to downplay his own success.

‘‘It was mainly the wind that was the winner, the wind and the light — we couldn’t see much in the end and it was very blustery — but it was a good win,’’ Pettigrew said.

Leigh Baldi stepped up to play his first singles set and was beaten 2-6 by Sean Scott.

Scott normally plays for McEwen Reserve Opal, but swapped with Gold regular Mick Kay, who played for Opal in Saturday’s match against St Andrew’s.

It was the first time Leigh had played singles and Pettigrew said it was good to see players were willing to step up to the challenge.

‘‘Leigh and Evan (Cooknell) are both capable of playing singles. They’re totally different players, so if we ever need to mix it up, we can just put them in,’’ Pettigrew said.

Jo Trapani filled in this week and Shepparton North’s women produced four wins from five sets, including the two singles wins and a 6-5 (9-7) win to Lauren and Julie Baldi.

Eight sets had been decided 6-4 or closer at the end of the match and four of those had gone to tie-breaks.

‘‘I think we were six sets to three at one stage, but there was only seven or eight (games) between us,’’ Pettigrew said.

‘‘The mixed could have gone either way easily, but we just got over the line.’’

In other games, Lemnos defeated Karramomus 14-84 to 0-41 and McEwen Reserve Opal defeated St Andrew’s 11-78 to 3-41.