2008 Australian Seniors Championships
Teams Week
16-Feb-2009 - Robyn Castle
Teams’ week, with 102
teams and over 500 players was, as usual, a competitive but
fun-filled week. The drought and then the weekend rain had caused
havoc with the grass courts, and full marks to Shane Ried for
getting the courts playable in such a short time, and in keeping
them “up and running” throughout the two weeks!
The championships even inspired a light-hearted and
witty poem by South Australian, Jill Wherry. All senior tennis
players may identify with certain parts of
this cleverly
constructed piece.
New Zealand and Japan had sent
teams, which added a delightful International flavour.
The 35/40 Men’s was won by the
South Australian 35s over Victoria’s 40s, 5 sets to 2, but only 5
games in it!
The 45 Men’s Div 1 was won by
Vic45 over Vic50, 5 sets to 3 and only ONE game the difference, 39
games to 38. It could hardly be closer. Div 2 saw ACT 2 victorious
over Vic 2 by 6 sets to 2. In the 55s, QLD 1 defeated QLD 2, 6.5 to
1.5.
The rivalry between the
Victorians and NSW in the 60’s was still well and truly alive, with
one or two of last year’s stars moving up an age group, NSW 1
prevailing over Victoria 6 sets to 2. In Section 2, QLD came to the
fore with 2 of their teams fighting it out for the top spot. The
result QLD 2 def QLD 3, 7 sets to 1. In Section 3, WA2 faced QLD4 to
hold out at 4 sets all 36 games to 32. A close one.
Similar rivalry existed between
Victoria and NSW 65-1s, led by Alan Walsh, in his first year. The
result? NSW by 6 sets to 2, with NSW 2 coming in 3rd. In
Section 2, VIC2 defeated NSW3, 4 sets all and by 42 games to 38.
Another close encounter!
The 70/1 men’s was another
battle this year between NSW and WA, with the NSW making it a “clean
sweep” 5 sets to love. There were two groups this year of 75/80s. In
section 1, QLD showed its domination in the Final against NSW, with
a 6.5 to 1.5 win. In Div 2, QLD defeated SA 5 sets to 3, with a very
close fight for third between the VICs and SA, 4.5 to 3.5 and by 5
games, to Victoria.
The women had eight age groups,
with (lack of) numbers causing a few headaches for selectors and
organisers. 35-45s were in 2 groups with NSW35 having an easy time
against ACT in the Final, 6 sets to love. The NZ2 team had a
resounding victory in Div 2, with a win over WA45s, 7 sets to 1.
In the 50s the New South Wales
team was untroubled all week, and defeated NZ in the Final, but NZ
came to the fore in the 55s, defeating QLD 7 sets to 1, 45 games to
20. In the 60s, NSW had 2 teams which battled it out for a place in
the Final, but the first team was too strong, and went through to
play the VICs, who also had a tough time, going down 6.5 to 1.5 in
the Final. It was NSW again who dominated proceedings in the 65s,
and they came through to take the Final easily against ACT, 8 sets
to love. It was extremely close in the 65/2, with the winners VIC2
winning 5 sets, but they were behind in games, 36 to 37 to the South
Australians.
The “cream of the crop” (our
over 70s), had the Victorians battling it out once more with NSW –
Nola Collins, Joyce Rogers, Wilma Fitz-Gerald, Shirley Whitaker,
Olive Gunnell and Jill Anjou were able to crush Peg Hoysted’s team
in the Final, 6.5 to 1.5, a sweet victory. (A first teams’ gold
medal for Nola Collins after 23 years!)
New South Wales won 7 age
groups, while QLD and Victoria won 4 each. The perpetual Teams’
Trophy was a very close finish between NZ and QLD, with the decision
resting on the last few sets. QLD took the prize with an average of
57.02 and the New Zealanders (56.25) are vowing to reverse things in
Adelaide in 2009!
Ray Fitz-Gerald (VIC) hands over
the flag to Dennis Haupt (SA)
Brian Dew and his organising
committee are expecting huge numbers in Adelaide! Let’s make it
happen. Get your teams organised and book your accommodation now!
Other sporting events will make it tricky to get the best
apartments, cabins or on-site caravans.
Robyn Castle - Publicity
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