Tennis vets break through

Members of the Marlborough Veterans Tennis Club broke a 22-year drought with victory in the annual quadrangular tournament in Blenheim at the weekend.

This competition, between veteran players from Marlborough, Canterbury, Nelson and Canterbury Country, began in 2004.

Each tie comprised eight doubles and eight mixed doubles matches.

Marlborough opened with a 10-6 win over Nelson, then beat Canterbury Country 14-2. The pivotal clash took place on Sunday when Marlborough took on Canterbury, who were also unbeaten. After a torrid battle the home side prevailed 9-7 to finally get their hands on the trophy.

Chris Nott won all six of his matches, Stu Campbell and Scott Booth claimed four from four while Stephen Dempster, Glen Cameron, Amon McGregor and Nicole Logan prevailed in five of their six clashes.

The Marlborough veterans squad: Meiko Kimura, Annabelle Fluit, Nicole Logan, Joey Beckett, Sarah Dillon, Anna Simpson, Claire Brooks, Jane Davidson, Noriko Burra; Tomas Lupani, Chris Nott, Darin Herd, Stephen Dempster, Amon McGregor, Stu Campbell, Jared Bell, Glen Cameron and Scott Booth. Selectors: Donna Clark and Glen Cameron. Also in the squad were Paul Carrodus, Heidi Stenhouse-Allen and Emily Stenhouse, who could not play because of illness.

Glen said he felt the side won due to their greater depth.

“But everyone handled the pressure really well and fought for each other as a squad, showing great spirit throughout,” he added.