Club cup proves a festive feast

By Kath Gannaway
THE Warburton Tennis Club held it’s cup tournament over the Australia Day weekend attracting an enthusiastic field of more than 40 players.
After a one-hour rain delay on the Saturday the Men’s Singles competition was off and running culminating in a keenly contested final between Steven Andrews who had come up from Melbourne for the event, and Healesville Tennis Club’s Joseph Habenschauss. Andrews was in great form throughout the day, eventually winning over the Yarra Valley local.
On the Sunday under a clear blue sky and with temperatures in the low 30s, the men’s and women’s doubles competitions provided excellent competition for spectators.
The men’s doubles finished in a tie break after being 7-7 games each in the ‘superset’ to 8, and then level at 5-5 in the tie-break. Paul Teijero and Joseph Habenschauss won through to claim the title in what tournament organiser Paul Jackson described as “an absolute cracker”.
Women’s doubles winners Jo Ashley and Julie Champion played consistently good tennis and took out the women’s doubles title 6-4.
The Australia Day Mixed Doubles competition was well contested with local Warburton players Christian Neilsen and Nicole Fox taking the honours over Sam Colcheedas and Maria 8-6 in the midday sun.
Mr Jackson said the tournament raised a lot of interest on what was a very busy Australia Day weekend in Warburton.
“The tournament was very visible and I think definitely helped raise the profile of the club, and added to the holiday atmosphere in the town,” he said.
“I think we can say very clearly that everybody is on board and ready for an even bigger and better tournament next year.”