Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Weston Creek Tennis Championships. With beautiful weather and great tennis, it was an outstanding event. In all, over 100 players served and volleyed their way through a mountain of matches.
Once again Tom Fuller dominated the men’s side of the draw. In the singles, he defeated Nathan Franklin 6-1, 6-4 and will have his named inscribed on the newly named, Graeme Rossiter Memorial Trophy. Tom then combined with Nathan to win the doubles against the brave pairing of Oliver Hough and Mason Willoughby Thomas. The Open Ladies Singles was won in fine style by Cate Lockley. She defeated defending champion, Holly Nolan 7-6, 6-0 in a very entertaining final. Holly teamed up with Charney Wells in the Ladies Doubles, but they were no match for Clair Dupont and Jenny McDonald who prevailed in a thrilling match 6-4, 6-3. In the 18 Girls Singles, young gun, Adele Mewett came from a set down to defeat Cate Lockley 10-4 in the tye breaker. Cate’s brother, Ewan went one better in the 18 Boys Singles also coming from a set down to defeat Angus Cook 2-6,7-5, 10-8.
In the adult Mixed Doubles, the ‘mature’ pairing of Matt Lennon and Fiona Njissen played solid tennis all weekend and combined well to defeat Pax Ramadan and Jess Schmidt. The A Grade Social Doubles proved very popular, and players emerged from the woodwork to sign up. After completing the round robin format, Yosh Willis and Rohan Lowry were too strong for Joe Kwon and Nik Tarasyuk, winning 6-1.
In the Under 9 Unisex Singles Competition, Adam Franklin defeated Doug Pirie. While in the doubles, Samuel Heller and Reeva Joshi played inspired tennis to defeat, Doug Pirie and Florence Mewett . In the Under 12 Division, Bela Kochardy proved hardest to beat. He won the singles against David Franklin and then teamed up with David’s brother, Adam and they defeated David Franklin and Hunter Evans.
The Under 15 Unisex singles produced one of the matches of the weekend. After an epic struggle, Angus Cook defeated Aden Whiles, 7-6, 7-6, both lads playing some inspired tennis. The two boys then joined forces in the doubles. They were all over this competition and defeated Karl Shanahan and Kauserali Rangwala in the final. In the 18 Boys Doubles, Liam Dunne and Ewan Lockley defeated Jayden Cartwright and Riley Barker. In the 18 Mixed, Cate Lockley continued her terrific weekend by teaming up with Riley Barker. They combined well to defeat Amelia Nolan and Aden Whiles 6-1, 7-6.
As always, the Parent and Child Unisex Doubles was keenly contested. This year, due to numbers, the competition was divided into two divisions. In the top division, defending champions, Nathan and David Franklin narrowly prevailed over Bill and Clay Chadwick. While in Division Two, Geoffrey Russell and Nicole Maple defeated Niraj and Reeva Joshi.
Congratulations to everyone who ‘grabbed a racquet’ over the weekend. A Club is only as strong as its members and to have so many players turning up to support this event, it is clear Weston Creek is one of the leading tennis clubs in the ACT.
It was wonderful to welcome David Smith MP and former elite player Alison Bai to the courts on Sunday afternoon to present many of the trophies. Rumour has it that David was so impressed he has signed up as a member. Terrific also to see so many at the presentation to cheer on the winners and enjoy some Club birthday cake, baked especially by Club Secretary, Clair Dupont.
Thanks to Club Coach, Mark Walton who organised the online entry portal and spent the weekend getting players, “on court’. Thanks also to the organising committee of Max Rafferty, Andrew Stuart, Carl Jackson, Phillip Stephens, Tony Laudenbach and Tom Fuller. Special thanks to the army of volunteers who helped on the bbq, flipping burgers, turning sausages and supplying drinks and lollies to famished players.
Links to photographs: https://photos.app.goo.gl/JRCmuKg7LeHD5RyMA
https://www.robiciatennisphotography.com/Weston-Creek-Club-Championships (password; Weston)
Tony Laudenbach
WCTC Championship Committee