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Our Club Captain Owen
reports and comments on the performances of our Club
Members at the “Seaside” Tournament.
Headlines. “JULIA” GUNS HER WAY TO WIN TWO TITLES.
Our Julia Gunn is Back, taking out two titles viz: The
Ladies Special Doubles and The Mixed Special Doubles.
“Jules” as we lovingly call her displayed some brilliant
tennis at the “Seaside.” Tournament. In the finals of
the Ladies Special Doubles Gunn/Ladbrooke were down 6/2,
3/1. In the true spirit of Manly, they came back in the
second set to win 6/4, with “Jules” dominating the play
with brilliant cross court placements and backhand down
the line winners and well executed lobs. The tie Breaker
was a “nail breaker”, but the Manly Women’s Team held
fast and took out the tiebreaker set, with Katie making
some great winning volleys to clinch the match.
Julia Gunn and Ryan Mitchell, also won The Special Mixed
Doubles Final. It was a thrilling tie breaker finish.
Ryan, our number one, men’s player and Club Tournament
finalist combined well with Julia and played some
brilliant shots in the final to win the Mixed Special
Doubles in grand style.
CONGRATULATIONS JULIA, KATIE AND RYAN.
Then came our Men’s Special Doubles team of Richard
Steeds and Simon Haes, who cruised into the final
without losing a set. They lost the first set in a tie
breaker after being ahead 5/2. However they held
together and took out the second set to set up a 10
point tie breaker set. Simon, was inspirational in the
tie breaker and hit 6 clean winners. Richard Served and
volleyed like Tim Henman and our boys cruised to a 10/3
win in the tie breaker set to win the title.
MEMBER SUPPORT:
Manly club members enjoy watching our players compete
and are always there to cheer them on to victory. It was
great to watch our members do so well at the ‘Seaside”
this year. Our winners, I am sure thank you very much
for being there and supporting them.
OTHER RESULTS.
Good work Boyd.
Reached the round of 16 in the B Grade Singles, Lost to
the number one seed in the Semi-finals of the U 14 boys
singles. Keep up the good work Boyd. I am sure next year
you will be in a couple of finals. I notice also your
grandmothers, the “two Margaret’s” were there to cheer
you on. What a lucky young boy you are!
Milton Da Rocha.
Lost out first round in the Open Singles to a very good
player. Reached the Round of 16’s in the Men’s Special
Singles Event, after two good wins. Has an arm injury
problem. Please get it right Milton before the Badge
commences. Milton you will be a very good addition to
our teams this year.
Tony Hamilton,
Won his first match, but went down in his second. Good
work Tony.
Peter Roberts,
Played well, but lost to a very good player in the first
round 6/2,6/2. Peter again will be a very good Badge
Player for us this year.
Overseas visitor and daughter of our very special club
member Basil South, Jen Pizot played very well in the
Ladies Special Doubles. Jen and her partner Rachael
Tendall reached the semis and were beaten by our own
Ladies Julia and Katie. Jen also played in the Singles
event, but coming out of the USA winter, she did not
have enough practice time and lost in the first round.
It is always great to have Jen here and we enjoy her
company at Social on Thursday and Saturday. Someone
asked Basil, if Jen was his grand daughter. Basil was
not happy. Grandpa Basil , you are not, A loving father
.Yes. We wish Jen a safe trip home to Oregan, USA and
look forward to having her back at the club next year.
Craig Withell and brother in law Rick Genge were so
unlucky to lose in the Semi-finals. In fact in the
tiebreaker set, Craig’s partner Rick, thought it was a 7
point tiebreaker and were ahead. He went to shake hands
and claim the match , only to find out it was first to
10, not 7. Unfortunately their opponents came back and
won the tiebreaker.
BEHIND THE SCENES.
Thanks go to the following;
Scott and Camilla, who worked so hard to make the
tournament the success it was. Scott, our head
professional, became our head chef as well. A ‘Sausage
sizzler expert” is his new Title.
George Paul our secretary, who was such a gracious host
to our Patron Mayor Jean Hay.
Nick Debenham, (President), and Ron Jeffs, (Vice
President) and their wives Annette and Di for their
support.
All the Bar Helpers, who gave up their time to help
serve all the players and guests.
All MLTC members, far too many to mention, who came,
relaxed, socialised, and enjoyed a festival of great
tennis at a very high level.
Other Events:
Our first “Wackiest Christmas Social Dress-up Event” was
well attended on Xmas eve. Our Senior Judges Paul Wigney
and Hylton Mace awarded prizes to the following.
Ladies: Winners were Liz Lim, Katie Ladbrooke and Rose
Cumming each receiving a bottle of Champayne.
Men: Winners were Brian Mathew, Dennis Crowley, Nick
Debenham and Richard Steeds each receiving a six pack of
Hennekan Beer.
Photos of the event are on the notice board. Worth a
look.
Thanks go to secretary George Paul for organising the
event and personally donating the prizes.
Monday Social Play was held January 2nd. Members ,
please keep in mind that when a Public Holiday falls on
a Monday, Social play will be held from 1.00pm-5.00 pm.
Up-coming Events.
Manly versus Bareena Tennis Club. Date to be announced
soon.
Badge Teams will be decided by Jan 14th. Selectors are
reminded of our meeting this Saturday at 1.00 pm.
DON’T YOU JUST LOVE THIS GAME?
Happy New Year to All,
Owen
Club Captain.
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