Interdistrict Report Weekend 21 June 2015 – By DAVID GRAHAM
The George Rider Cup team performed well in their second round home match against Southern Districts. Owen Rice and Jeff Brown got the match off to a positive start with a close fought tie break to win the encounter 7/6. Frank Wallner and David Lehman the second pair exerted their superiority to win 6/2 and set up a fine win 7 sets 47 to 1 set 27 games and find themselves at the top of the ladder after two weeks. Jeff Brown led from the front as Number one player not losing a set.
He is in great form after winning the 35 doubles at the recent Picton Seniors tournament. Frank Wallner well supported the team without losing a set also. Owen Rice played his consistent best in a match where the home side had to work hard for the victory
The George Fletcher team was down on regular players for their first match of the 2015 season but played well to surprise their opponents from Nepean with steady and solid doubles play. Brett Thomas and Ian Avery fought back from being well down in the opening match to then level 6 all, but narrowly losing in the tie break 7/6. This inspired Grant King and David Graham to work well together to win 6/0. Even though the Kiama pairs were inexperienced and untried together they proved much too solid for their opponents running away with the next 6 sets to win the match 7 sets/48 games to 1 set/23 games.
Ian Avery was the player of the match with his offensive double handed backhand return of serve creating opportunities to then move into the net and dominate play. Ian was well supported by Grant King lifting the bar with his giant killing forehand drives. Brett Thomas regrouped from a couple of lapses to dominate the net and show his doubles expertise.
Life Members Cup
The team travelled to Southern Districts and after getting off to a flyer in the first set, leading 4-0 Mark Graham and Ross Smith couldn’t hold on as the Home Team moved up a gear to take the set 6/4. Kiama with David Jones and Bob Morgan responded accordingly with Bob producing power, placement and amazing consistency to take the set 6/2. Kiama at the half way point however found themselves down 3 sets to 1. In the fifth set Mark Graham and DJ played some great tennis.
David played “tough” and held serve at 5-5 all and then the Kiama combination broke serve to win 7/5. In the last set it was anyone’s game and David Jones and Bob Morgan needed to win the set, the pair found themselves at 4-4. Some exciting tennis by the home team ensured a win 6/4 and victory by the narrowest of margins. Southern Districts 5 sets /41 games to Kiama 3 sets /39 games. Player of the match was David “Wild Man” Jones who dived for ball after ball playing like a man “possessed”.