The host association stormed to a comfortable victory winning 731 games, with the next best total of 680 coming from defending titleholder Griffith. Wodonga (481) and Wagga (440) grabbed the minor placings.

Led by Abigail Tere-Apisah and Monica and Veronica Sourivong, the host association dominated the girls with their grasscourt experience proving too strong for the opposition.

Co-captain Jarrod Liston, Aiden Reid and Joshua Graetz performed well in the boys for the victors.

Albury Tennis Association president Ken Wurtz said it was a pleasing result.

“I thought it was a great team effort,” Wurtz said.

“We did well in the boys and girls and the John Baker Shield is a great opportunity for the youngsters to step up against quality opposition.

“Griffith were strong again and we were pleased to win the shield back again after losing it 12 months ago.

“It’s a fantastic competition as a lot of very good players have competed over the years.”

Thirty-two players from each centre took part in under-12s, 14s, 16s and 18s with 24 courts being used throughout the day.

Albury has dominated the shield in the past decade and Griffith team manager Cheryl Rawle admitted the hosts were deserved champions this year.

“Full credit to Albury, it runs a very professional outfit,” Rawle said.

“It was another great experience for our juniors and it’s a real novelty to come down and play on the grasscourts.

“We look forward to it every year.”

Griffith’s Blake Gregor, Sophie Hicks, Bethany Tyson, Justin Guglielmino and Chloe Oates won their six sets and were undefeated.

The tournament was created in 1989 as the Westpac Shield before it was renamed in memory of popular Border tennis figure John Baker, who died in a plane crash in 1998.