Kiama Wins George Fletcher Cup – by David Graham and David Lehman
On Sunday 13th September the finals of the NSW Hardcourt Inter-District series for 2015 were held at Southern Districts tennis Centre at Leumeah near Campbelltown. Kiama were represented in three finals. In the George Fletcher Cup Kiama/Shellharbour took on Southern Districts and although Bill Summerside’ s team had beaten Southern Districts in each of the rounds the team knew it was going to be a tough match. Cameron Pearson and Todd Austin were on the verge of winning the opening set, but after leading 5-3 and serving for the set they squandered their opportunities and dropped the set 7-5. Chris Ford and Bill Summerside evened the match with a 6-4 win. After leading again Pearson and Ford lost the third set and things didn’t get any better with Todd Austin and Bill Summerside also dropping the 4th set. At three sets to 1 down it wasn’t looking too good for the early favorites’ now down 3 sets to one. The 5th set was a very closely fought match with Pearson and Summerside taking the set in a tight tie break (7/6). This was the turning point for the Kiama side who re-focused and turned the match on its head winning the next 4 sets to take a 6 sets to 3 advantage. It wasn’t over yet with Chris Ford and Bill Summerside needing to hold the next set for victory. At 3-1 Kiama were in sight of the finish line before the home side bounced back from 3/1 down to snatch the set from Kiama 6/4 With Kiama with their nose in front 6 sets to 4 and Southern Districts sensing a resurgence Chris Ford and Cameron Pearson steered Kiama to a 6-2 victory giving them the match 7 sets 60 games to 4 sets 53 games. What a relieved group of players, not having to play the last set. Well done to the team who were well supported by Michael Phipps, Grant King and Ian Avery who played in the team during the 3 rounds of the competition leading up to the finals.
The George Rider team of Jeff Brown, Richard Welsh, Owen Rice and Frank Wallner fell just short losing to Southern Districts in a close final. The match went down to the last set with Kiama having to win the set but unfortunately losing a close encounter.
The third Kiama team reached the final of the Life Members Cup and with Bob Morgan injured it was always going to be an uphill battle. With Ross Smith succumbing to a hip flexor injury during the first set the team battled on losing seven sets to love. It was a disappointing end to the competition after Kiama lead the competition during the preliminary rounds.
Kiama’ s Blackwell Cup team lead by Joe Moseley and Bjorn Meyers were defeated by Illawara 2 and placed second in Division 2. Blackwell Cup is for open men and has seen such players as Tony Roche, John Newcombe, Colin Dibley and Phil Dent competing in this prestigious competition prior to going onto tennis greatness.
Tennis NSW President Ian Campbell praised the efforts of the Kiama players for reaching three seniors finals and also the Blackwell Cup team for their second placing in Division 2. Tennis in the Kiama area is showing its strength against the larger Sydney district sides.
Congratulations to all sides and players who competed