They may have been the youngest in their pool, but what is age anyway… Sam and Will were out to prove it means little.
A win over Gierlach/Marija (18-10, 18-12) in their first pool game was quickly followed by a close battle against the formidable pairing of Lang/Wong. A loss of concentration gave their seasoned opponents the opportunity to take control of the first set, winning it 18-10. With their minds back in the game, Team Kay kept pace with their elders, and stepped up in the crunch points to win 20-18. The confidence that comes with a set win over such illustrious opponents inspired another hard fought battle, and another win; 15-13.
Following on from that win, Sam and Will kept their momentum, cruising past final pool pairing – and top seeds in the division – Otter/Ritterman (18-15, 18-15) to secure top spot in the pool.
A quarter final thumping of Swinburne/Rodrigo (18-5, 18-8) was closely followed by another comfortable win in the semi’s over Italians Peruzzo/Piergiorgio (18-12, 18-9). Their place in the final secured, Team Kay could sit back and watch eventual opponents Keating/Robinson tire themselves across three sets.
Saturday morning training opponents, VBVA Warriors Blair Keating and Blake Robinson were feeling the pinch following a three set semi. But they dug in again, pushing the 14yo twins before going down 19-17 in the first. An even closer second set saw Keating/Robinson even it up (20-18), however a loss in concentration allowed Sam and Will to take the final three points… and the Vic Beach R7 B division title. Congatulations boys!
WARRIORS STEP IT UP!
Blair and Blake weren’t the only VBVA Warriors who made finals in round seven of the Vic Beach series.
Rudi Nunes and Italian Dario Tarquini cruised through to the final of Men’s AA before the Italian began to struggle with cramp; the pair eventually losing to veterans Michalik/Laine in straight sets.
Regular Warrior Andraz Pozar teamed up with Ildee Manalo to reach the Men’s A final, losing to hardened beach players Allan/Rutherford, when cramps got the better of Pozar.
VBVA alumni Georgia Nankivell and Eleri O’Connor-Williams won their Women’s AA final 15-7 in the third. Welcome back to Melbourne Georgia!
Finally, Lucia and Laura, back in AAA, took two matches to three sets, finishing the tournament in 5th.
