Just as in the "big time" there have been some
upsets. 35+ Doubles top seeds Paul Kleverlaan and Chris O’Mara
lost in the first round, (to NSW pair Paul Graziani & Brendon
Rose). Number 2 seed Max Bates (55+) went down to Victorian
Russell Watts in straight sets.
European stars Michelle Bichon &
Sylvia Bauwens were defeated by NSW pair Julien Pratt & Loretta
Funnell in the 60WD.
(L to R) -
Sylvia Bauwens (Germany); Julien Pratt (NSW); Loretta Funnell (NSW); Michele Bichon (France)
Gary Penberthy(WA) produced the goods
against top seed and World 60s No 1, Hugh Thomson, and went on to
take out the event.
Men’s and Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles
were finalised on Thursday, with presentations taking place at
around 5 pm. This was a popular change to proceedings, as many
players not involved in Singles could then relax on the last day
and watch the Singles Finals, a great idea!
The South Australian 35+ "boys" Martin & Rino
got their revenge in the Final against NSW players Paul & Brendon,
by winning the final in straight sets, 6/4 6/3.
In the 40+ Men’s Round Robin, Scott Marshall
and Kurt Robinson defeated each other pair. Michael Martin &
Russell Watts surprised the No. 1 seeds Charlton & Ferguson, to
take out the 45+, 6/3 6/4. The 50+ Men’s was won by Wayne Pascoe
(NSW) & Tony Booth (WA) by walkover after Bruce Osborne withdrew,
and Glen Busby (Vic) defeated Wayne Pascoe in the only Men’s
Singles Final on Thursday, 6/4 6/4.
55+ was a torrid affair between WA’s Lito
Alvarez & Peter Rigg and Andrew Rae (VIC) & Max Bates (QLD). Lito
& Peter came out firing in the third to take it 6/1.
The 60+ was taken out by Victorians Terry Smith
& Graham Wurtz, defeating the NSW pair, Alan Walsh & Ian Davis,
6/2 6/4.
65+ was won in a three-set struggle by Derek
Arthurs & Bob Howes, against Tom Downie & Murray French, 7/6 4/6
6/3. Ian King and Tony Harkin soundly defeated Max Byrne and
Neville Langford, 6/0 6/1 in the 70+. In the 75+ Bert Barwick &
Ward Hillier were too strong for Ron de Costa and John McCarthy,
winning in fine style, 6/2 6/2.
80+
In a match that went for over two hours, and with a total age of
330 years between them, Richard Wilson (QLD) and Doug Corbett
(NSW) emerged victorious over Nev Halligan (QLD) and Brian Hurley
(ACT).
(L
to R) Brian Hurley, Nev Halligan, Richard Wilson, Doug Corbett
Three Combined age Men’s Doubles including
120/130, 140 and 150 saw 48 players (all over 65 years) combining
fitness and enthusiasm in a game they obviously love to play. Don
Biddle (still recovering from major surgery that kept him away
from the tournament in Christchurch) and Mick Bruton performed
creditably to go down in three hard-fought sets to John Davis &
Brian Adams(NSW) in the C120/130, 6/3 5/7 3/6. 18 players contested the
C140s with Tony Harkin (NSW) and Ron Hambleton (QLD) victorious
over Max Byrne (TAS) and Neville Langford (QLD), 6/4 7/6. Another
3-setter in the C150s saw Bert Barwick and Ward Hillier win their
second event together, this time over Adrian Alle & Don Cosgrove,
3/6 6/4 6/4.
On Friday the 19th, in the Super
Senior Men’s Singles, 80+, Doug Corbett (NSW) was kept out there
for three sets by Ward Hillier (VIC), in an entertaining match,
which Doug won 6/4 1/6 6/1. Max Byrne (TAS) held out against
Adrian Alle (QLD) to take the 75+, with comparative ease, 6/1 6/3.
In the 70+, Peter Froelich (QLD), prevailed against Kevin Crump in
straight sets, 6/2 6/3. The 65’s Final was a heart stopper, with
Bruce Burns and Bob Howes battling it out in a 3-setter - a win to
Bruce 6/1 2/6 6/4. In the 60’s, we were reminded of the statement
"beware the injured player" when Terry Smith (VIC) came up against
an injured Gary Penberthy (WA), who produced winners in the Final
set that Federer would be proud of - the result, Penberthy, 6/4
2/6 6/4.
Andrew Rae (VIC), gave no quarter to Peter Rigg
(WA) in the 55+, winning in straight sets, 6/0 6/4. The 50s, as
reported earlier, went to Glen Busby, and the 45s was a dour
struggle between
Simon Arms (VIC) and Mike Ford (QLD). Down 7/6 in the first, Arms
came back to win 6/2 6/3 in the 2nd & 3rd
sets. Kurt Robinson (WA) had to come back from a first set
deficit, in the 40s, against his co-West Australian, Scott
Marshall to win 3/6 6/1 6/3. The last match of the tournament,
which was unfortunately still being played as presentations began,
was the 35+. It was a sensational match between Great Britain’s
Daniel Ahl and NSW newcomer, Brendon Rose. Daniel, now a resident
of Victoria, came back from 5-7 and down match points in the
second to force a Tie-break (winning 12-10) and took the third set
6/1.
In the Women’s 35/40 doubles, the two "kids"
from WA, Lisa Brannan and Robyn Lamb produced enough winners to
defeat Wanda Clothier (VIC) and Natalie Cutcliffe in three sets
6/2 6/7 6/3.
40/45 Women’s saw Brenda Foster (NSW) & Judy
Kozak (WA) defeat Paula Bongetti (VIC) & Leanne Swaysland (NSW)
6/2 6/3.
50+ Lyn Mortimer & Sue Walter (Both VIC) proved
too strong for Kerri Young (VIC) & Kaye Nealon (NSW) winning 6/1
6/4.
Kerry Ballard (NSW) and Christine Dorey (WA) –
friends from junior days, won the first set in the 55+ and held
off a determined fight back by Helen Worland and Adrienne Avis
(both NSW), also friends since juniors, to win the second in a
Tie-break 8-6, after having 2 set points against them.
60+ Champions are Carol Campling (NSW) & Lou
Griffith (VIC), after having a decisive victory over Julien Pratt
& Loretta Funnell (NSW). Margaret Wayte & Lesley Heumiller were
victorious against Heather McKay and Jill Taylor in the 65+, in an
entertaining 3-set match.
The 70s was won by Margaret Robinson (WA) and
Nola Collins over World Champs Alison Ide & Joyce Rogers. Elsie
Crowe (WA) and June Farrar (NSW), in the 75+, had a 3-set marathon
against Merna Datson (VIC) and Pat Ubrihien (NSW) 6/7 6/3 6/3.
.JPG)
There were two Combined Women’s Doubles events.
C120s, Margaret Wayte & Robyn Castle (both NSW) successfully
defended their 2006 title, defeating Gayle Heard and Denise Martin
(also NSW) 6/1 6/0, and C130s, in which Norma Godbolt-McGhie (QLD)
& Alison Ide (ACT) won the Round Robin 3 wins to 2 over Peg
Hoysted (NSW) & Merna Datson (VIC).
Margaret Wayte and Robyn
Castle (NSW)
In Women’s Singles, 35+ was won by Natalie
Cutcliffe (by walkover), over Karlene Marzec (WA). It was
unfortunate that Stephanie Bowler #1 seed, had forfeited through
injury to Karlene earlier in the week, which denied us the
possible spectacle of two NSW girls, seeded one and two in the
final. Brenda Foster (NSW) proved too strong for Leanne Swaysland
(NSW) in the 40/45s, 6/1 6/3. In the 50+ Paula Bongetti overcame
both her opponent and the discomfort of "itchy bites" from
suspected "bed bugs", to win the final against Lyn Mortimer, 4/6
7/6 6/4. Helen Worland had a well-deserved win against ‘Maureen
Connolly Cup team-mate’ Kerry Ballard, in the 55+, 6/3 7/5.
In the Super-Seniors, 60+ winner was Carol
Campling (NSW), who avenged her defeat by Sylvia Bauwens (GER) in
Turkey, with a resounding 6/3, 6/2 win. Defending titleholder,
Heather McKay (ACT), in the 65+ proved too strong for Linda
Pengelly (VIC), winning 6/4 6/1.
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Canadian visitor Inge Weber upset
Margaret Robinson’s plans in the 70+ with a straight sets win 6/4,
6/4. Finally, we had WA’s Elsie Crowe in the 75+ a winner over
Barbara Godfrey (VIC), 6/4 6/2.
Inge Weber (Canada)
The Mixed Doubles winners were, 35+ Narelle
Follington (NSW) & Martin Richards (SA) over Natalie Cutcliffe
(NSW) & Chris O’Mara (VIC) 6/3 6/3. 40s had a Round Robin in which
Victorians Chris Luhrs and Ron Walker won against all 3 pairs.
Glen Busby & Wanda Clothier (both VIC) won the 45+ against Paula
Bongetti & Michael Martin 7/6, 6/4. The 50+ was an all-Victorian
affair with Lyn Mortimer & Ray Bray dominating over Greg Harrison
and Kerri Young 7/6 6/2.
.JPG)
Denis Colette & Adrienne Avis (NSW), had
a battle in the 55+, winning in 3 sets over Dennis Haupt (SA) &
Sue Walter (VIC), 6/4 4/6 6/3. In a huge draw, for over-60s, Carol
Campling & Don McIndoe (NSW) prevailed over Henry Michael and
Wendy Weir (both WA), in an exciting 3-setter, 6/4 1/6 6/3. Bruce
Burns & Margaret Wayte (both NSW) made no mistake about their
first 65+ title, defeating Ian Fisher & Lesley Heumiller (both
NSW), 6/1 6/1. Ian King (NSW) paired with Joyce Rogers (VIC) to
take out the 70+ against NSW pair, Garry Potter & Helen Ferris,
7/6 6/0. In the 75+ Round Robin, Max Ward & Merna Datson won 2
matches from 2, to take the title 6/2 6/3 and 6/2 6/4.
The TSA Championships were conducted on what
can only be described as the BEST grass courts in the world.
All three venues had surfaces that were impeccably prepared and
immaculately kept. We appreciate the time and effort that
goes into creating such classy tennis courts. The catering
at all venues was "next to none", with bar services also being
appreciated by the players at the completion of matches.
Much of the work at these venues is done by volunteer labour.
It is truly a "labour of love". We thank you one and all!
Perth has the opportunity to apply for the
World Championships in 2009, and we wish them well in their
endeavours.
Finally we must congratulate the Senior Player
of the Year for 2006 - Andrew Rae (Vic), and the Administrator of
the Year - Rob Ockerby (WA).
CONSOLATION winners were:
Women
35/50 Roslyn Hand (QLD)
55/60 Tsuruyo Yoshizaki (JPN)
65/70 Di Buchanan (NSW)
Men
35/55 Michael Russell (QLD)
50/55 Tony Bray (NSW)
60s Lee Taylor (QLD)
70s John S Walker (QLD)
75/80 Naoki Mizuno (JPN)
