In a new season, the sides weren’t identical to those that contested the 2023-24 decider, but the impressive 9-88 to 4-61 victory is a big shake-up from last season which saw Echuca 1 go the entire campaign undefeated.
The tie started neck-and-neck as the sides split the singles rubbers, Jacob Grieves prevailing 6-4 for Rochy and Nick Bush 6-3 for Echuca.
The men’s doubles saw a big swing Rochester’s way, with all three matches going the way of the host by a combined 24 games to eight.
Tobie Woodfine was having a good day, featuring in two of the wins.
Echuca clawed back a little of the deficit, with Roxanne Dicketts and Celine Joyce taking the first women’s doubles, but Rochester was out for blood, taking the remaining three sets.
Karen Taylor and Mandy Dingwall paired up for the most dominant Rochester performance, taking their set 8-2.
The mixed doubles was a more balanced affair with each side winning two sets, but that was more than enough for Rochy to take the overall tie and reclaim some bragging rights over its grand final opponent.
In the other fixture of the round, Echuca 2 barely downed Echuca 3 7-80 to 6-79, while Lockington-Bamawm United had the bye.
Round three next week sees Echuca 1 take on Echuca 2, while Echuca 3 will face off with LBU. Both matches will be played at Echuca Lawn Tennis Club.
Rochester has a week to bask in its victory, drawing the bye.
Division two
In division two, Rochester battled Elmore at home, prevailing 9-66 to 4-38.
After the singles were split, all three men’s doubles rubbers went the way of Rochester, with Darren Pain getting the win in both his sets.
Elmore held its own in the women’s doubles, holding Rochester to two sets each, but the home side stretched the margin by taking three of four mixed doubles.
Echuca 5 defeated Echuca 4 10-71 to 3-45, while LBU had the bye
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