Injuries cost Springvale North

AN injury-riddled Springvale North side suffered its second defeat of the Tennis Victoria Pennant season on Saturday, falling victim to ladder leader Gracedale Park in their Grade One singles tie at North Ringwood.
In the absence of regular number one Stephen Fotakis, who injured his knee at practice during the week, teen prodigy Trent Cobb stepped up to play the first game.
Despite a promising second set fightback, Cobb faded against Gracedale Park’s Jonathan Longridge to lose 6-2 in the third.
The tie was levelled when Zoran Josic cast aside Dusko Erakovic 6-3 6-1, but Springvale North failed to take a set from the home side in the remaining two rubbers. Emerging youngster Henryk Pawlukowski sustained a thigh injury midway through the first set of his clash with Farshad Nourian, battling bravely before succumbing 7-6 7-6.
The 3-1 loss saw Springvale North drop to fourth in its section ahead of a doubles tie at Essendon this weekend.