East is east, but West is best!

Jan-2007  Robyn Castle reports on a superb week of senior teams' tennis in Perth at the 2007 Australian Championships......

Teams’ week, with 133 teams and over 750 players was as competitive and fun as ever.

The courts at the three centres were impeccable, Robertson Park, Alexander Park and Mt Lawley. Even Wednesday’s rain had minimal effect, due to excellent drainage.

The countries of Canada and New Zealand had supplied players, which added an International flavour.

In the 35/40’s, South Australia’s domination came to a grinding halt, thanks to a superb performance by the New South Wales guys eager for an upset on Finals Day. They crushed the South Aussies 6-2 in an awesome display of power and accuracy, led by the 4-set winner, Peter Elliott, who plays double-handed both sides. The large contingent of South Australians was dismayed to see their boys defeated in such a resounding manner.

Mens 35+ winners - Craig Bullivant, Greg Westwood, Peter Elliott, Paul Graziani, Wayne Swaysland, Allan Pade.

The 45 Men’s was won by WA over Qld 5 sets to 3 and Victoria won the 50s in convincing style, defeating SA 7 sets to 1. Both the 50-2s and the 55-1s saw WA victorious over Qld. In the first instance, it was a Final 5.5 to 2.5 and the in the second WA were in front by 16 points to 12. In the 55-2s the Vics came out on top 13 points to ACT’s 10.

There was much interest in the rivalry between the Victorians and NSW in the 60’s, with Alan Walsh leading his team to victory over Murray French’s team 6-2, completing three wins in a row, 2005 Newcastle, 2006 Christchurch and now 2007 in Perth.  A mere ONE game separated the Qld team from SA in the 60-2’s in a hard-fought Final match, 4 sets 39 to 4 sets 38 games.

Similar rivalry existed between Derek Arthurs’ team and NSW 65-1s led by Gordon Waygood. The result? NSW trailing by one point, came through the last round to win 13 points to 12, avenging their sad loss in Christchurch. In the 65-2’s WA defeated the Vics 5 sets to 3, but 37 games to 38!

The 70 men’s saw WA in front of NSW by 15 points to 11, with the 70-2s going to Qld 12 points to 10 over NSW.

The Super Seniors 75s and 80s went to NSW. 10 points to 8 over Qld in the 75s and 8 sets to love against SA in the 80s Final.

Mens 75 winners - Bert Barwick; Max Ward; Ron de Costa

Western Australian women dominated the first three age groups, defeating NSW in the 35/40s 6 sets to 2, the 45-1s also over NSW 6-2, and in the 45-2s the WA3 was victorious in a nail-biter, over WA5 5 sets to 3, 41 games all. Something hilarious happened in the 45-1 match – they were having a long rally when suddenly the ball hit the top of the net and it collapsed! (From both ends – parallel to the ground, which then took the groundsmen 10 minutes to fix!  It was lucky they weren’t pressed for time.)

In the 50-1s the Victorians led all the way, with a team of "World" reps, on 16 points, with NSW coming second on 11.

Womens 50 Division 1 winners - Lyn Mortimer; Janine Durant; Kerri Young.

 The 55-1s was another win to Victoria, first past the post on 13 over WA on 11 points. QLD 2 finished ahead of QLD 1 in the 55-2s 16 points to 12. Playoffs in the 60-1s saw WA against Victoria in the Final, and they closed it out 6 sets to 2. The 60-2s was another win to Victoria, who defeated ACT 5.5 to 2.5. NSW1 (with a few World Champs – Marg Wayte, Lesley Heumiller and Mary Gordon), was a clear winner (7-1), in the 65-1s against a solid ACT team containing Heather Mackay and the evergreen Alison Ide. These players were ably supported by their team members Di Buchanan and Judy Logan (NSW) and Marg Harrigan, Mary Gormly and Daphne Kennedy (ACT).

WA1 in the 50-2s had a narrow lead over QLD 14 points to 13 to finish first.

Womens 50 Division 2 winners - LtoR - Kerry Edwards, Sandra Petterson, Penny Humann, Carol Putland

New South Wales backed up with a winning team in the 65-2s, which was "first past the post" to take the Gold, 16 points to 12 over SA. Finally, NSW took out the 70's with a win over "arch-rivals" Victoria 5.5 to 2.5 in a close-fought tussle. Both teams possess International Representatives, NSW - Peg Hoysted, June Farrar, Beth Lown, Pat Ubrihien and newcomer Helen Ferris with WA’s Elsie Crowe, and Victoria – Lorice Forbes, Merna Datsun, Joyce Rogers and Shirley Whitaker. These ladies play such long entertaining rallies, they provide a great spectacle and and it was an unexpected victory for NSW.

New South Wales and Western Australia won 5 age groups each, in Men’s and 3 and 5 respectively in Women’s, which was not enough to secure the overall top pointscore for the Teams’ Trophy. This honour went to Victoria, for the third time in four years.

One great thing about the Teams is that where there are composite teams, the players say they really enjoy getting to know the players from the other state and the added camaraderie and fun they have. There is always great rivalry between the states, but the overall winner is Senior Tennis, which is becoming bigger and stronger with every year of competition.

oooOOOooo