6 August 2007 By Graham Croker
Sydney University’s senior men’s tennis team is within two weeks of creating history by winning their first Head Badge title in the top grade of competition in Sydney.
Although losing narrowly to White City on Saturday, Sydney University had a big enough lead in the 21-round Head Badge Grade 1.1 competition to take out the minor premiership.
The team now has the advantage of a home ground semi-final against Terrey Hills 1 at the Manning courts this Saturday. And they have an ace up their sleeve in the form of a grand final replay at Manning if required.
While other clubs brought in star imports in the final rounds of the competition to jockey for final four placings, Sydney University, led by captain Adrian Somerville, stood firm throughout with their season starting line-up and took all before them in the quest for a first 1.1 Head Badge title.
Sydney University led the 1.1 ladder since round five but went down narrowly in the last round against a white-hot White City team which featured Davis Cup and Australian Open player Todd Reid and former world-ranked local Glenn Knox. But the four sets all 33-36 result in fluky conditions on the tricky White City grass was enough to stave off a late charge by Cheltenham 1 for the minor premiership.
Also in the mix in finals contention in other Badge grades are Sydney University 6 men in Grade 1.5 and Sydney University 8 men in Grade 2.4, both teams continuing their fine run of form from 2006, as well as Sydney University 9 men in Grade 3.2.