By Grace Jones | posted on January 27, 2018
TENNIS players from across the state converged on Emu Point Sporting Club over the weekend to compete in the Albany Community Bank Open Tournament.
With more than 100 competitors from Perth, Merredin and the Great Southern attending the tournament, the weekend proved to be a competitive one in all divisions.
Emu Point Tennis Club captain Richard Piggott said the Open attracted a high calibre of players.
“We had the best field of entries seen in Albany for the past few years,” he said.
“The standard of play was exceptionally high, and was very enjoyable to watch.”
Piggott said the atmosphere at the club during the two-day event was great for the competition.
“Everyone was in the right spirit during the weekend,” he said.
“It was two perfect days of tennis.”
Saturday saw the women battling it out in the doubles, with sisters Alexandra Pugh-Riggall and Clare King reigning victorious in A-grade against Albany’s Abbi Gibson and veteran Jenny Rickerby.
Men’s A-grade saw a four-way battle with first-time team Michael Offerman and Vincent Brochard taking the win from Les Bairstow and Ross Truscott.
Last year’s men’s A-grade runner-ups Aaron Crofts and Nathan Watson were unable to push past their four-times runner-up position.
Gibson wasn’t done with the competition when she teamed up with Offerman on Sunday in the mixed doubles.
Brother-sister combo Maddi and Aaron Crofts weren’t able to overcome the dual effort of Gibson and Offerman.
Next up on the tennis competition calendar for the Great Southern is the Junior Round Robin Singles Tournament in Kendenup on February 18.
Entries are now open for the 16-and-under event, and details are on the Lower Great Southern Tennis Association’s Facebook page.
