Unexpected rain across the day turned it into chaos for the home teams( starting after 1:30pm),  with 1 of them calling a washout. 4 out of the other 5 teams managed a win.  Players are strongly encouraged to keep hitting during the Kings Birthday Long Weekend.

Grade 9 players celebrate their win under the lights. L to R: Nathan Rapoport, Joel Rabinov (captain), Wayne Myers. Not pictured: Ian Altman

Tennis Victoria Winter Pennant

Grade 5 Section 3 Maccabi 0-1-11 washed out against Langwarrin 0-1-12

Asaf Nagar/ Jonny Henquin 6-3 1-2
Jordan Jaffe/ Marty Schwarz 3-6 1-1
 

Grade 7 Section 3 Maccabi 2-3-44 defeated by Chadstone 4-5-45

Marcus Frajman / Aaron Kramer 4-6 2-6
Geoff Rosenberger/ Steve Bendel 6-4 3-6 (9-11)
Geoff Rosenberger 6-8
Marcus Frajman 7-9
Aaron Kramer 8-1 
Steve Bendel 8-5

A feeling of what could have been. Geoff and Steve started well but an ill-timed downpour affected their momentum in the super tiebreak. They were disappointed to not come away with the win. Marcus and Aaron tried their best but despite some promising signs, were generally outplayed.

In the singles, young Aaron produced a great performance in his first match back after an ankle injury. We are excited for Aaron's development in his first full season of Pennant. Geoff was leading for most of the match but fell short at the end in a close one. Steve played to his strengths to give us a flicker of hope. Marcus had a poor start but worked his way into the match before also going down in a close one. We hope to regain more of our regular players after the long weekend!

- Marcus Frajman

Grade 8 Section 3 Maccabi 4-4-42 defeated Mentone 2-4-50

Ilay Givoni/ Gilad Nagar 2-6 5-7
Lachie Zuker/ Steven Kleytman 2-6 7-6 (10-5)
Ilay Givoni 1-8
Gilad Nagar 9-7
Lachie Zuker 8-6
Steven Kleytman 8-4

Ilay and Gilad started with errors and lost the first set (2-6) but managed to cut back on the errors in the second set. Unfortunately in a close set at 5-6 were not able to hold serve and went down 7-5.
Stephen and lachie also had a tough first set (2-6). But in the second managed to find some rhythm and win it in a close 7-6 tiebreak and then match tiebreaker. Lachie and Steven kept going, winning their singles, with Gilad registering his first win in pennant. The result: a win over the top team on the ladder. 

- Ilay Givoni

Grade 9 Section 3 Maccabi 4-6-48 defeated Harkaway 2-2-32

Nathan Rapoport/ Wayne Myers 4-6 6-0 (8-10)
Joel Rabinov/ Ian Altman 6-2 6-2
Joel Rabinov 8-3
Nathan Rapoport 2-8
Wayne Myers 8-5
Ian Altman 8-6

A day where it felt like I aged 10 years in the space of it given the utter chaos that unfolded with the weather.

We agreed on a 2pm start (and played singles on the back 4 courts that were wetter than the rest).

Joel had chances to break in the opening game but didn't againast a player with an unorthodox forehand. The drizzle then started and kept going, with Joel getting on a roll for 6-1, 40-0. Unfortunately didn't close it out and at 6-3, had a battle on his hands. Ended up breaking serve and at 30all, the two longest points of the match (30 shot rallies) with Joel prevailing on both points for a 8-3 win on a totally soaked courts.

Nathan didn't like the conditions and unfortunately played against an opponent who didn't miss, going down 2-8.

Wayne played a fellow leftie: this time a 13 year old kid! Wayne slices proved nasty with the conditions, Wayne winning 8-5.

Ian (for once) was the older player out of the two, with a 13 year old opponent. Ian doing enough for a 8-6 win.

For the doubles, we shifted to the vacant courts 1 and 2 that was noticeably drier than the back courts (and was almost compltely dry for the start). Nathan and Wayne had a close first set (going down) 4-6, before stepping up a gear for 6-0. Unfortunately on the wrong side of the tiebreak for 8-10.

Joel and Ian had a slow start for 1-2, before getting on a roll for 6-2. Again a slow start to the set (0-2) before taking over control of the match for a 6-2 win to seal the day.

Overall: Great to be back on the winners list! Ian is getting better week in, week out (played amazing in the doubles). Though I've got to say, the doubles was the trickest conditions I've played in at Maccabi. Ball going from shade to sun: just had to communicate with Ian every shot down the clubhouse end (as I kept losing track of the ball). The one shot I didn't, we lost that point... Next round is on the Langwarrin hardcourts: team is set to bolstered with our #1 (Aaron Kramer) ready to go. 

- Joel Rabinov

Grade 10 Section 3 Maccabi 4-4-43 defeated Royal South Yarra 2-4-48

Saul Jayes/ Akash Lagad 6-4 2-6 (10-8)
Jack Stock/ Ash Raboy 6-3 2-6 (10-5)
Saul Jayes 7-9
Akash Lagad 3-8
Jack Stock 8-4
Ash Raboy 9-8

Today we took to the court against Royal South Yarra on a crisp first day of Winter at Dendy Brighton. Being the 3rd time, we have played at Dendy this season, it feels like a home away from home.

Saul and Akash started very strongly in their match, taking the first set 6-4. Their opponents Adrian (my former boss) and Tom stepped up their game to take the 2nd set 6-2. Saul and Akash regrouped and played consistent and smart Tennis to hit their way to a 10-8 super tiebreak win.

Jack and Ash also made a commanding start, playing consistent Tennis and not giving up anything easy to their opponents. They took the 1st set 6-3. Their opponents lifted in the second set, hitting the ball freely and playing aggressively. They took the set 6-2. During the super tiebreaker, Jack and Ash didn’t make any mistakes and were able to secure a 10-5 win.

Saul got off to a slow start in his singles, trailing 3-0. He then showed his class and immense power hitting 15 backhand winners. At 7-7 both players were playing high quality Tennis. Unfortunately, Saul just went down 9-7.

Akash, started slowly in his match trailing 5-0. He responded by winning the next few games. He wrestled back the momentum, but his opponent had too much class. He ended up going down 8-3.

Jack played an opponent, who he played in a tiebreaker a year ago, and was focused on securing a much-needed rubber for the team. He started strongly leading 4-1 before his opponent reduced the deficit to 4-3. Jack went into shut down mode where he made his opponent have to get every ball back and eventually broke the game wide open to win 8-4.

It all came down to the final match. Ashley was in a seesawing battle. He was down on the scoreboard for most of the encounter but kept on fighting and staying within striking distance. Down 7-5, we were all prepared to congratulate Royal South Yarra, but Ash had other plans. He showed his determination and experience by making his younger opponent play that one extra shot. Ash was able to get the match into a tiebreaker. Winner takes all. Ashley’s class and composure proved to be the difference as he took out the match.

Overall, a 4-2 win for Maccabi and their second road victory for the season. We made our inspirational skipper Ben proud.

 - Jack Stock

Grade 10 Section 4 Maccabi 3-5-47 defeated Upwey South 3-3-41

Riley Brick/Jaxson Brick 6-4 3-6 (8-10)
Jack Eydlish/ Stephen Gorenstein 4-6 6-4 (10-8)
Jack Eydlish 8-2
Stephen Gorenstein 9-8
Riley Brick 3-8
Jaxson Brick 8-3

Brick doubles was a close match throughout, great rallies and strong opposition. In the end we just came up short with either side deserving the win.
Stephen and Jack Eydlish paired up in doubles.  After a slow start and losing the first set they fought back hard to win the second and only just came up short in the tiebreaker going down 10-8.

In singles Riley went down early losing games on a clearly drier side of the court. It was too difficult to come back from (3-8).

Jack filled in with an excellent display playing against a high quality opponent. He served well. Kept the ball deep and managed to neutralise the opponents strengths for a 82 victory.

Stephen played a massive serving hard hitting player at no. 2.  Going toe to toe in a gruelling match it came down to the tie break. After fighting back from 4-0 down in the tie break to get to 4-3, his opponent gained the ascendency again and had 3 match points at 6-3. Stephen fought back again to ultimately win 8-6 in a win that secured the victory.

- Stephen Gorenstein