Locals and visitors take part in Gunnedah seniors tennis tournament

Saturday proved to be long and eventful as a number of women’s doubles matches went to tie-breakers, meaning plenty of tennis had to be played under lights at night.

Fine and sunny conditions on day one proved a contrast to the rainy weather that greeted the competitors on day two, and a decision was made early to cancel Sunday’s proceedings.

Many of the attendants gathered in the clubhouse for a presentation on Sunday morning before going their separate ways.

Forty competitors took part on Saturday as players came from Tamworth, Old Bar, Scone, Newcastle, Sydney, Port Macquarie, Muswellbrook and the ACT to join various locals.

Tennis Seniors NSW president Mick Bruton was full of praise for the Gunnedah Tennis Club as he was among the visitors and competitors.

“Beautiful courts. It’s a great atmosphere here. Everyone’s friendly,” Bruton said at the Sunday morning presentation.

Gunnedah Tennis Club secretary Laurie Boag remarked that Gunnedah was very privileged to have Bruton and his wife in attendance while everyone had a good time.

“It’s always a fun tournament. A lot of laughs,” Boag said.

Cash prizes and a brand new Head racquet were up for grabs as raffles were drawn on Sunday morning.

Plenty of the high achievers on Saturday had also been among the top placegetters on previous occasions at Gunnedah, including Helen Burge, Wendy Izzard, Miroslav Pisa and Don Edmonds.

Gunnedah’s Andrew Riordan and Jodie Moore, both of whom had also figured prominently on lists of winners and runners-up in previous years, were other high achievers this year.

Riordan won the combined men’s singles and paired with Ian Lynch to win the 80/100/115 men’s combined doubles.

Moore teamed with Burge and came second to Julie Andrews and Louisa Mortimer in the combined women’s doubles.

In the combined 80 & 100 mixed doubles, Moore filled in and was classified as a male while she and Izzard emerged triumphant.

RESULTS

Combined women’s doubles: winners Julie Andrews and Louisa Mortimer, runners-up Helen Burge and Jodie Moore.

80/100/115 men’s combined doubles: winners Andrew Riordan and Ian Lynch, runners-up Andrew Corbett and Barry Wilson.

Combined 130 men’s doubles: winners Mick Bruton and John Whittaker, runners-up Robert Haying and Don Edmonds.

Combined men’s singles: winner Andrew Riordan, runner-up Miroslav Pisa.

Combined 80 & 100 mixed doubles: winners Jodie Moore and Wendy Izzard, runners-up Craig Taylor and Christine Johnson.