Double Delight and it’s GOLD! GOLD! GOLD, for the Aussies!

21-Oct-2008 - Robyn Castle

Our Austria Cup team, Andrew Rae, (winning his 5th Cup, in a row - 2 Fred Perry Cups (50s) and 3 Austria Cups (55s) Max Bates (4th in a row) and Russell Watts (2nd) put it all together to win the “big one”. The Doubles decider against the USA, produced some scintillating tennis, as the Australians showed their legendary skills in doubles to seal the win, 6-3, 6-1!

Our Gardnar Mulloy Cup (M80) gentlemen, Doug Corbett, Ward Hillier, Neville Halligan and Neale Hook defeated a very confident USA team with World #1 Graydon Nichols unable to subdue our Dougie! Doug is ranked #5, but he played the game to beat the best. Ward went down to Clement Hopp, and then after the Singles they both backed up against a fresh American pair, Tony Franco and Jason Morton. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi! Oi! Oi!

Max Bates, Russell Watts, Ward Hillier, Neale Hook, Doug Corbett, Neville Halligan & Andrew Rae

The supporters who ‘carried them over the line’, said it was like a football match with all the cheering and yelling “Go, Aussies, Go”! And the atmosphere was electric. (I wish I’d been there!) It was down to a Doubles decider, and the Aussies had to win the third set. They played drop shots and lobs with superb control to have the Americans wondering what to do next. Ward and Doug, you are the Best!

Week Two, and it’s the Individuals.  A record entry (?) for overseas, 73 Aussies competing in Manavgat, (42 Men and 31 Women) and all are looking forward to playing well and supporting one another to take a few World titles. Top seed and defending champ for a 3rd year in a row is Andrew Rae, in the 55s. Chris O’Mara is seeded #2 in the 40MS, and Roger Grant with Shane Smedley are #2 in the 45MD. Also seeded#2 is Max Bates with a Brasilian partner in the 55MD. Brenda Foster is seeded #3 in the 45WS, with Ros Balodis #1 in the 50s. Ros will meet Di Fishburne (who beat her in the Teams), if they both reach the Final. Also, Ros and partner Kaye Nealon are top seeds in the 50 Doubles.

Going for a fantastic 16th consecutive World Doubles title is Liz Allan, who pairs now with Kerry Ballard, seeded #1, with friends and Finalists for the past two years, Helen Worland and Adrienne Avis seeded #2. Margaret Robinson is seeded #2 in 75WS. Defending the Women’s 80 Singles crown and seeded #1 is our beautiful lady, Elsie Crowe.

Others who are defending their 2007 titles are: Doug Corbett and Ward Hillier 80MD, Nola Collins 70WD (although with a different partner), and seeded #3, Carol Campling 60WD, Bruce Osborne 50MD, also with new partners.

Many others are seeded in the top ten including Rino Traforti and Martin Richards (35MD) #3, Chris O’Mara and Andrew Schuelke #4 (40MD), Michael Russell #5(40MD), Simon Arms #8 (45MS), and in 45WS Leanne Swaysland is #7. In the 50s, we have Mike Ford #4, Lyn Mortimer (seeded #6 in both Singles and doubles).

Andrew Rae and Russell Watts are #4 in 55MD and Ray Bray, #6. In 55WS, Kerry Ballard is #5, Helen Worland #6 and Adrienne Avis # 8. In 60MD there are Alan Gooch with Haydon Rees #4, and Lee Taylor with Terry McLellan #7. 60WS sees Carol Campling at #4 and Liz Allan at #6. 65Men’s has Bob Howes at # 4 in the Singles and with Dennis Bindon in the Doubles, #3. 70 WS has Nola Collins at #4 and Lesley Heumiller at #6. 70MD is Tony Harkin and Ian King at # 4 and Kevin Crump with Ian MacDonald #8. Ian King is #5 in 70MS. 75MS Nev Langford is #8, and he plays with Graham Brown to be seeded #4 in the Doubles. Last but not least, in the 80s we have Doug Corbett at #5 and Ward Hillier at #8 in the Singles which caps off their top seeding in the Doubles.

Monday, in Singles, there were cries of “he’s hit every line except the date line!” from A S, and M R remodelled one of his racquets, but there were many successes – so the Aussie flag is still flying into the next round. 128 draws are everywhere, making it tough to get through!

There’s an ‘Australian Dinner’ on Monday night, and many new faces meet the oldies in the spirit of fun and camaraderie at the “Park Restaurant” on the edge of the Mediterranean. Including players and supporters, 110 people attended. Great stuff! Organised expertly by Gail Bates, the “new” team members were recognised and welcomed – and the performance of all teams was acknowledged by cheers and loud applause! Especially our “Golden Oldies” who won the Gardnar Mulloy Cup! Ward, Doug, Neale and Neville were treated like royalty, as were our Austria Cup boys, Andrew, Max and Russell. Even the waiters and waitresses were cheering and “high fiving” the winners!

The Silver medallists from our Women’s teams were also cheered, Ros, Kaye, Lyn, Kerry, Helen and Adrienne, and they were all proudly wearing their medals. We had 3 Bronze medal teams as well! What a fabulous representation!

It’s great to be an Aussie! We love you all!

Postscript: As the result of an accident to her leg, while playing yesterday, Elsie Crowe must withdraw from the Singles on doctor’s orders. How disappointing! Our hearts go out to Elsie.who had she had a terrible graze to her leg whilst playing, and had to have it treated at hospital, excluding her from the tournament. She could not defend her World 80 Singles title.   Elsie being consoled by her team-mates...

R Castle