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Great conditions for round 2. It was warm with barely a breath of wind, and plenty of good pickleball. Two perfect nights and a few big upsets in our Spring Pickleball Competition. Section 1 Kitchen Confidential took the match of the round, beating Dill With It 12-0 to move to 22 games won and a six game lead. Paddle Pushers are next best on 16 after a 7-5 win over Net Gains, with Dink Responsibly third on 13 after getting past Dinkin' Donuts 7-5. Serve Dynasty and Smash Mouth couldn't be split on games at 6-6, so it came down to points, and Smash Mouth took it 93 to 84, a close one! Section 2 Salty Cucumbers were favourites against Relish the Win and made it a 12-0 night, now top on 22. Dill Pickles beat Pickle Me This 8-4 to sit second on 19, and Unforced Errors made Dink Queens pay for a rusty return from the bye, winning 9-3. Pickleball Shots are the early leaders on 14 after a 7-5 win over Pickle Me Elmo. Mixed Pickles are one game back on 13 after the same 7-5 scoreline against Piccolos. What to watch Round 3 is Monday 26 October. Kitchen Confidential face Dink Responsibly, and Paddle Pushers take on Dinkin' Donuts. In Paddles, Salty Cucumbers meet Pickle Me This and Unforced Errors play Dill Pickles. The pick of the night is Pickleball Shots v Mixed Pickles, the top two in "Section 2 - Pickleballs". Pickle Me Elmo will be out to bounce back against Pickle Pals. Showers likely on Monday, 2 to 6mm, with a top of about 14 degrees. Fingers crossed.

Spring has sprung, and round 1 gave us plenty. Bad weather early in the night caused some problems on a few courts, but everyone played well. Section 1 Kitchen Confidential made the loudest noise, going 10-2 against Smash Mouth to sit on top of the early ladder. Paddle Pushers were right behind, beating Dink Floyd 9-3, and Dill With It matched that 9-3 scoreline against Dinkin' Donuts. Spin Doctors edged Third Shot Drop 7-5, while Net Gains and Dink Responsibly couldn't be split on games at 6-6, so it came down to points. Dink Responsibly took it, 112 to 94. Section 2 Dill Pickles made a statement, shutting out Relish the Win 11-0. Salty Cucumbers were just as dominant, taking down Pickle Partners 10-2, and Unforced Errors got past Pickle Me This 8-4. Dink Queens had the bye. Pickleball Shots held off Piccolos 7-5. Mixed Pickles and Pickle Pals couldn't be split on games at 6-6, so it came down to points, and Mixed Pickles snuck it 83 to 82. Pickle Me Elmo had the bye. What to watch Round 2 is Monday 19 October. Kitchen Confidential face Dill With It in the match of the round: top of the ladder against a team that looked strong in round 1. Paddle Pushers take on Net Gains, who will want to bounce back after that draw. Serve Dynasty are unproven off the bye against a Smash Mouth side that needs a win. Third Shot Drop meet Dink Floyd, and Dinkin' Donuts play Dink Responsibly. Spin Doctors have the bye. Pickle Me This have a tough ask against Dill Pickles, while Salty Cucumbers should start favourites against Relish the Win. Dink Queens are unproven off the bye against Unforced Errors, and Pickle Partners have the bye. Pickle Me Elmo come off the bye to face Pickleball Shots, and Piccolos will want to bounce back against a Mixed Pickles side that only just got over the line. Pickle Pals have the bye. Looks dry for Monday, about 26 degrees for the day with only a 20% chance of rain and no rain expected.

Grand final night is done and we have two new champions. Section 1 We called this one the two form sides of the back half of the season, and that is what turned up. Pickleback Shots won it 7-5, which across a 12 game night is about as close as a grand final gets. Paddle Addicts earned their spot the hard way, getting into the top two on differential in the final round, and they went game for game with the minor premiers for most of the night. Pickleback Shots edged got away at the end. Top of the ladder all season and now the flag, which is a fair reward. Section 2 Elmo and Mixed Pickles finished the regular season dead level on games, split by two points of differential. So naturally the grand final was nothing like that close. Pickle Me Elmo were too good, 10-2 and 122-72 on points. Mixed Pickles pushed them every week of the season and traded top spot with them all the way, but Elmo saved their best night for the one that counted. Thanks to every team and every player for the season. Great effort all round. Next season: McDonald's Pickleball Competition Social hit: Monday 5 October Comp starts: Monday 12 October Play starts 6:15pm $12 per person per week 8 week comp, grand final Monday 7 December To register or ask a question, contact Susie on 0448 551 610 or sec@traralgontennis.com. Come down for the social hit on 5 October, all are welcome. Thanks to our major sponsor McDonald's and supporting sponsor Aussie Broadband.

Eight rounds done and out grand final night for Monday 14 September is all set. Section 1 Last week we said Pickleback Shots needed a 7-5 win to jump No Dink No Glory. They went a fair bit better than that, 10-2 over Pickled And Dangerous, and finish top on 57 games won. The other shootout, Paddle Addicts v Dinks and Drinks, could not be split on games at 6-6, with Dinks and Drinks taking the points 108-101. It was still enough for Paddle Addicts. They finish level with No Dink No Glory on 53 games but well ahead on differential, so they grab second and the last grand final spot. Dinks and Drinks fall one game short on 52, and Relish The Win signed off with a 7-5 win over Dink Dynasty. Section 2 Pickle Me Elmo made sure of first with the perfect night, 12-0 against Pickle Partners. Mixed Pickles did all they could, 9-3 over Pickleball Shots, but finish three games back on 74. So we get the rematch everyone wanted. Dink Queens beat Salty Cucumbers 8-4 to lock down third, and The Dill Pickles got home 7-5 against Pickle Me This. Grand finals Monday 14 September. Section 1 is Pickleback Shots v Paddle Addicts, the two form sides of the back half of the season. Section 2 is Pickle Me Elmo v Mixed Pickles, who have traded top spot all season. Warmer for a change, up around 24 during the day, with a shower or two about. Thanks everyone That is the regular season done. Thank you to every team for turning up week after week, through the cold nights and the washout. It has been played in great spirit from start to finish. Good luck to our four finalists, and come down on Monday if you can. Should be a good night.

One round to go and both sections are as tight as they have been all season. Section 1 Three teams are level on 47 games won. Paddle Addicts made it that way, hammering Pickled And Dangerous 10-2. Pickleback Shots kept pace, 8-4 over Dink Dynasty. No Dink No Glory did bounce back like last week suggested, beating Relish The Win 9-3. Dinks and Drinks had the bye and sit one game back on 46. Section 2 We flagged Elmo v Dink Queens as the pick of the round and Pickle Me Elmo made it no contest, winning 11-1. Mixed Pickles answered straight back, beating Pickle Partners 11-1, so the pair are locked together at the top on 65 games each. Elmo hold first by two points of season differential. Two points, after seven rounds. Elsewhere, Pickleball Shots were far too strong for Pickle Me This, and Salty Cucumbers got home 7-5 over The Dill Pickles. Making the grand final Top two play off on 14 September. Section 2 is already sorted: Dink Queens on 47 cannot catch either leader, so Elmo and Mixed Pickles are both in, and Monday only decides who finishes first. Elmo take on Pickle Partners, while Mixed Pickles have a much harder night against Pickleball Shots. Section 1 is the opposite, wide open. No Dink No Glory have the bye and finish on 53. Paddle Addicts and Pickleback Shots each need a 7-5 win to pass them, Dinks and Drinks need 8-4, and Paddle Addicts v Dinks and Drinks is a straight shootout. Round 8 is Monday 7 September. Looks dry, around 11 degrees at 6pm with a light breeze.

Round 6 turned both ladders on their head. Section 1 No Dink No Glory have lost top spot. Dinks and Drinks were too good for them, winning 8-4 to move to 40 games won and take the lead. Pickleback Shots and Relish The Win was the match we flagged as one to watch, and it was one way traffic: Shots romped it 10-2 and are now second on 39. Paddle Addicts were just as ruthless, 10-2 over Dink Dynasty. Pickled And Dangerous had the bye and sit level second. Top five teams covered by three games, so this is anyone's. Section 2 Mixed Pickles won the big one. First against first, and they handled Dink Queens 10-2 to sit clear on top with 54. Pickle Me Elmo were not letting them go, an 11-1 night against Salty Cucumbers pulling them level. Dink Queens drop to third on 46. The Dill Pickles had the best day of their season, holding off Pickleball Shots 7-5, and Pickle Me This were far too strong for Pickle Partners. What to watch Round 7 is Monday 31 August. Section 2 has the pick of it: Pickle Me Elmo v Dink Queens, with Elmo chasing top spot and the Queens needing it to stay in the race. Section 1 gets No Dink No Glory v Relish The Win, both wanting to bounce back. Dinks and Drinks have the bye. Looks dry, around 14 degrees at 6pm with a light breeze.

Round 5 delivered two very different nights. Section 1 Nobody could be separated. All three matches finished 6-6, so it came down to points every time. Pickleback Shots edged No Dink No Glory by two (101-99), Dinks and Drinks got the better of Pickled And Dangerous 108-92 in the match we flagged as one to decide plenty, and Paddle Addicts and Relish The Win finished dead level at 95 apiece. Dink Dynasty had the bye. No Dink No Glory stay top on 34 games won, but Pickled And Dangerous and Relish The Win are one back on 33 and Dinks and Drinks 32. Four teams, two games. Section 2 Mixed Pickles made the statement of the night, going 12-0 against Salty Cucumbers to jump level with Dink Queens at the top on 44. Dink Queens did their bit too, 10-2 over a Pickle Me This side we tipped might fancy their chances. Pickle Me Elmo beat The Dill Pickles 9-3 and sit just one game off the lead, and Pickleball Shots kept climbing with an 11-1 win over Pickle Partners. What to watch Round 6 is Monday 24 August. Section 2 has the big one: Mixed Pickles v Dink Queens, first against first. Elmo face Salty Cucumbers. In Section 1, No Dink No Glory meet Dinks and Drinks, and Pickleback Shots take on Relish The Win off the back of that gutsy draw. Pickled And Dangerous have the bye. A shower or two about, around 15 degrees at 6pm, hopefully weather holds for us.

Round 4 was a washout. 25mm fell on Monday and nobody got on court. Both sections With no play possible, every match in Section 1 and Section 2 has been recorded as a 6-6 split, so all teams pick up six games won. Relish The Win had the scheduled bye in Section 1 anyway. No Dink No Glory v Pickled And Dangerous was set to be a genuine top-two clash, and Mixed Pickles v Pickle Me Elmo was the pick of the night. Section 1 The split leaves things desperately tight. No Dink No Glory stay top on 28 games won, with Pickled And Dangerous and Relish The Win locked together on 27 and Dinks and Drinks right behind on 26. Four teams inside two games. Section 2 Dink Queens and Pickle Me Elmo are still level on 34 games won, with Mixed Pickles two back on 32. Salty Cucumbers are next best on 25, so it is shaping as a three-way race. What to watch Round 5 is Monday 17 August. Section 2 has Mixed Pickles v Salty Cucumbers, plus Dink Queens against Pickle Me This, who beat Elmo in round 3 and will fancy their chances again. Section 1 gets Pickled And Dangerous v Dinks and Drinks, which could decide plenty at the top. Dink Dynasty have the bye. Forecast is good this time: dry all day and around 13 degrees at 6pm.

Round 3 shook up both ladders. Section 1 Relish The Win produced the result of the round, taking down Dinks and Drinks 8-4 to climb to third on 21 games won. Pickled And Dangerous keep building, an 8-4 win over Dink Dynasty lifting them to second. No Dink No Glory hold top spot after a tight one with Paddle Addicts: games finished 6-6 and Paddle Addicts edged the points 109-100, a strong effort that has them heading in the right direction. Pickleback Shots had the bye. Just two games separate the top four. Section 2 Pickle Me This were superb, beating Pickle Me Elmo 7-5 in the match we flagged as the big one. Dink Queens took full advantage, a 12-0 night against Pickle Partners lifting them to top spot ahead of Elmo on differential, both on 28 games won. Mixed Pickles sit third after The Dill Pickles pushed them hard to a 6-6 split. Pickleball Shots showed real improvement with a 9-3 win over Salty Cucumbers. What to watch Round 4 is Monday 10 August. Section 2 has Mixed Pickles v Pickle Me Elmo, the pick of the night with both chasing top spot, plus Dink Queens against an improving Pickleball Shots. Section 1 sees No Dink No Glory meet Pickled And Dangerous in a genuine top-two clash, while Dinks and Drinks face Dink Dynasty. Relish The Win have the bye.

Round 2 is done. A few things went to script, a few did not. Section 1 No Dink No Glory made the most of their first hit-out, hammering Dink Dynasty 10-2 and jumping straight into the mix. Dinks and Drinks stayed unbeaten but had to work for it: Pickleback Shots did push them, just like last week suggested they might, before going down 7-5. The pick of the section lived up to it too, with Pickled And Dangerous getting past Relish The Win 7-5 to move level with them near the top. Dinks and Drinks lead on 16 games won. Section 2 Pickle Me Elmo are the team to beat. After the 12-0 opener they went 11-1 against Pickleball Shots and now sit clear on top. Mixed Pickles are hanging with them, beating Pickle Me This 10-2 to stay second. Dink Queens rolled The Dill Pickles 10-2, and Salty Cucumbers bounced back with a 10-2 win over Pickle Partners to sit right behind the top two. What to watch Round 3 is Monday 3 August. Section 1 has Relish The Win against Dinks and Drinks, first real test of the leaders. No Dink No Glory meet Paddle Addicts, Dink Dynasty face Pickled And Dangerous, Pickleback Shots have the bye. In Section 2 the big one is Pickle Me This against Pickle Me Elmo.

First round of Term 3 is in the books. Here's how everyone went. Section 1 Dinks and Drinks were the standout, taking down Paddle Addicts 9-3. Relish The Win also picked up a solid win over Dink Dynasty, 8-4. Pickleback Shots and Pickled And Dangerous couldn't be split on games (6-6), so it came down to points, and Pickled And Dangerous snuck it 106-101. No Dink No Glory had the bye. Section 2 Pickle Me Elmo made a statement, going 12-0 against Pickle Partners. Mixed Pickles were nearly as dominant, beating Pickleball Shots 10-2. Pickle Me This got past The Dill Pickles 8-4, and Dink Queens edged out Salty Cucumbers on points after games finished level at 6-6 (110-99). Closest game of the night was Dill Pickles vs Pickle Me This, just 6 points in it. What to watch in Round 2 Dinks and Drinks come in as the form team in Section 1 and face Pickleback Shots, who pushed their round 1 opponent to a 6-6 split. That one could be closer than the ladder suggests. Relish The Win meet Pickled And Dangerous in what looks like the pick of the section, two teams that both won comfortably enough to be dangerous. No Dink No Glory get their first hit-out against a Dink Dynasty side looking to bounce back from an opening loss, and Paddle Addicts have the bye. Section 2 has a big one early: Mixed Pickles and Pickle Me, the two top teams, go head to head. Pickle Me Elmo will start hot favourites again against Pickleball Shots after that 12-0 opener, but Pickleball Shots will be desperate to find some form. Dink Queens face a Dill Pickles side after their close loss, and Pickle Partners will be out to bounce back against Salty Cucumbers after their big round 1 defeat. Round 2 is played Monday 27 July. Forecast is looking good, sunny and dry with no rain expected.