By JUDY SANDS and RHONDA CARPENTER

It was another magnificent day for the EDWTA semifinals played in Mansfield on Monday.

Both matches were lengthy, hard-fought affairs with little separating the teams, with the crowd of spectators treated to fantastic tennis.

Relishing the opportunity to play finals, Wappan’s Anna Speirs, Liza Karras, Carol Watts, and Rhonda Carpenter had finished third and would take on Terip; both teams settled into the match up.

Terip’s Cindy Hayes and Frances Lawrence were an impenetrable wall in their opener, while Phoebe Macdermid and Jenny Martin were challenged in theirs, the set full of momentum swings and key moments.

Carol and Rhonda raced to a 4-0 lead but were quickly levelled going game-for-game thereafter.

Unable to serve it out the relieved pair took the breaker 7-5.

There were trick shots and freak gets in the high-quality hit out, amidst plenty of laughter and wind assisted placements.

Sets were again split in the second pairings, with Terip leading by four games.

Liza and Carol, playing in yet another breaker, stretched the contest as the spectators felt the wind chill and the afternoon tea beckon.

Carol’s deft touch at net and Liza’s strong serves had onlookers cheering.

The reigning premier stamped its authority on the contest though, winning both final sets and the match 4/45 to 2/34 for a spot in the Grand Final.

Moglonemby and Euroa travelled to Mansfield in perfect conditions to determine who would be the other grand finalist.

Euroa's team of experienced finals players Faye Mollison, Lyndall Bigland, Ruth Nolan, and Julie Harrington faced Moglonemby's Judy Sands, Marlene Hanrahan, Sue Vaughan, and Danielle Scottis with Julie, Faye, and Marlene executing perfect drop shots and lobs, while the remainder of the players preferred long baseline rallies.

Faye and Lyndall won the first set 8-5 against Judy and Marlene, on the other court Sue and Danielle won 8-1, then Judy and Sue won 8-3 and Lyndall and Julie won 8-6.

Only seven games separated the teams, and it was still anyone's match, but when Marlene and Sue won 8-0, Moglonemby was guaranteed its first berth in a Grand Final.

Moglonemby 3-37 defeated Euroa 3-28 and its long wait is now over.

In 2011 the competition changed from two sections to just one and Moglonemby were the only team from the lower section to go up.

If they ever won 10 games or more, it would have been a good day.

Marlene and Robyn were part of the original team with Judy joining them in 2017, and with the reshuffle of the Euroa teams this year Sue, Danielle, and Lisa joined them.

Despite narrowly losing to Terip in the final round, Moglonemby will now relish the chance to get another crack at them in the big dance.

Teams were grateful for the many players who filled in for them over winter and the willingness of teams to share players.

Many thanks go to those who provided photographs to enliven the reports and the generous contributions of highlights from the matches.