SPIRITS weren’t dampened like last year, with sunshine and lush green courts greeting players at this year’s Murrabit Easter tennis tournament.
Murrabit Lawn Tennis Club president Ang Morton said the 77th edition of the annual event attracted a high number entries in a fun, family-friendly environment.
The mixed competition was held on Good Friday and followed up with the doubles event on Easter Saturday.
“Many of our competitors were visitors who travelled to take part in our tournament, camp onsite under the gum trees and enjoy the wonderful grass courts,” Morton said.
“A big thank you goes to our committee and greenskeepers for ensuring the courts were in such great condition.
“Easter is all about family and friends and we had many family groups gathering for their yearly Easter get-together.
“We love that our tournament can be the destination and enjoyed by so many. Over the two days, we had close to 180 entrants, competing in the doubles and the mixed.
“It was a fun, social atmosphere, with everyone enjoying either playing or watching great tennis.”
Morton said that the event continued its famous fancy dress tradition.
“As per tradition in Murrabit, there were many competitors dressed up with their partners in matching costumes,” she said.
“We had some creative and very interesting outfits taking to the courts.
“This added to the fun environment of the tournament and resulted in many players receiving ‘best-dressed’ prizes, as sponsored by Michelle Noonan.”
Morton expressed her gratitude for the local people and businesses that helped the tournament continue its success.
“A huge thank you again to our fantastic sponsors, their contribution is so important to the running of our tournament,” she said.
“Thank you to the small but hard-working committee who continue to run the tournament each year.
“There is so much work involved and all done by our volunteer members, from the court preparation to the catering, serving, selling raffle tickets, preparing the playing schedule and running the event.”
Results
Friday Mixed
A Grade – Luke Rodgers & Lily Bath r/up Angela & Simon Morton 24-23 games
Intermediate – Daile & James Heanly def Sam Bruce & Jessica Paynter 6-3
B grade – August Stelma & Roma Heanly def Lee Read & Jimmy Kern 6-3
U/16 – Sadie Spitty & Charlie Dickins r/up Lyla Morton & Drew McNeil 24-19 games
U/13 – Pippy Morton & Evan McNeil r/up Maddison Hall & Levi Dafos 18-12 games
Saturday Doubles Men’s
A Grade – Dean Harrop & John Wardle r/up Simon Morton & Graham Webb 24-22 games
Intermediate – James & Jack Heanly def Richard Miller & Ben Kincaid 6-0
B grade – James Kern & Kaz Osaka-Bignel r/up Graham & Travis Handcock 18-16 games
Saturday Doubles Ladies
A Grade – Michelle Noonan & Carolyn Nixon r/up Ang Morton & Andrea McKenzie 18-13 games
Intermediate – Jenny & Nateisha Nethercote r/up Daile Heanly & Michelle Monteiro 18-17 games
B Grade – Amy Hall & Kristi Dafos def Daisy Rennison, Madi Milla & Roma Heanly (stand-in) 6-0
Juniors
U18 Girls – Lyla Morton & Alexis McKnight r/up Belle Morton & Jessie Teasdale 18-14 games
U13 Girls – Pippy Morton & Charlotte Keath r/up Madison Hall & Abby Welch 18-16 games
U16 Boys – Brodie Hall & Jaxson Marshall r/up Jobe Hein & Cooper Hein 18-14 games
U13 Boys – Alby & Charlie Snow r/up Xavier Hein & Kobe Teasdale 18-15 games
