Eight teams made it to the finals in a series of grades for the more than 1500 people who travelled to Swan Hill last week.

The Wodonga women were the standouts, with two of their teams contesting one division final and another victorious in a tight contest against a team with a homecourt advantage.

Sandra Allen led a team that included Helen Milton, Ann Albert, Fran Ellis and Kendall Oates — to victory in an all Wodonga contest in the Women’s special B2.

Both teams shared two sets apiece, with the final coming down to games.

“It was a really close contest and it came down to the last game, with Kendall playing in a doubles contest on the same court where her sister had teamed with us to beat Bendigo a few years ago,” Allen said.

“It’s our fifth win at Country Week, but it is about more than just winning — you make lifelong friends there.

“For most of our team we have been going almost every year for more than 20 years — we say we get better with age.”

Janet Furst led a team of Alison Leech, Sandra Cook, Jo Brooks and Mel Singleton to their second successive victory, home by the narrowest of winning margins.

“We didn’t think we had any hope because we had gone up a division after winning last year, but won the final by just one game,” Furst said.

“The worst thing about that is we now go up another level into A grade next year when Country Week comes home again.”

Wangaratta men also flew the flag for the region, with three of its four teams making finals.

Team Purple members Neville Bell, Greg Renner, Alan Busk, Brian Scobie, Lance Crockett and John Petzl twice came back from a set down to win by a single game in the C2 division.

It was the 51st edition of Country Week for Wangaratta’s Pat Flynn, whose team bowed out in the semis.

“The tennis is fantastic and we had one side win and another beaten in a super tie-breaker,” he said.

“It was another disappointment for me — I think in half a century I’ve won twice and been runner-up seven times, but it’s not all about the results.

“I’ve been going since I was 17, I still have a photo from 1963 and wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

South Albury won the Women’s C grade 6, with captain Chris Denby, who turns 80 this year, Jenny Hofman, Sue Murray, Emma Murray and June Kent easy winners against Euroa.

Country Week will return to the Border next year.