Luck arrived just in time for the Paul Holding Doubles Championship finals in Bellingen last Sunday.
After the previous weekend’s finals day was washed out, players and organisers were once again keeping one eye on the tennis and the other on the clouds.
With showers hanging around, the decision was made to get through as much tennis as possible in the morning. Light drizzle came and went, but never quite enough to stop play, before the sun appeared around 11am and gave the A Grade final just enough time to get underway.
The BBQ was already warming up by then, sending the smell of sausages and onions drifting across the courts, mixing with the sound of rallies, line calls and applause… a reminder that the Paul Holding Doubles is as much about community as competition.
The day began with the Under 10’s, where Jack Barne took out the title against runner-up Jack Bruce in a great display from Bellingen’s next generation of tennis stars.
C Grade followed, with Sam Horton and Chris Short taking on Greg Noakes and Ryley McKay. Greg and Ryley fought hard, but Sam and Chris were too steady on the big points in the super tiebreaker, claiming the silverware in a very entertaining contest.
B Grade saw Andrew Bierne and Andrew Williams, the “Double A’s”, up against a very determined Kai Hartley and Sterling Lewis. Kai and Sterling refused to go quietly, chasing down everything and making the Double A’s earn every point, but the two Andrews eventually found a way through to take the title.
A Grade saw Mike Hartley and Anna Barne take on Will Bruce and Mark Wells in a final that went right down to the wire. Both teams produced some outstanding doubles, with the momentum swinging back and forth in front of a lively crowd.
Court side commentator Rich Sampson did his best to keep everyone informed, quietly whispering the score to a boisterous gallery who were hanging on every point.
In the end, Mike and Anna held their nerve when it mattered most, edging out Will and Mark just before the rain hammered down in the early afternoon and rendered the courts unplayable.
The Under 13’s final is still to be played, with not all players able to make it on the day.
Special thanks to Tomm Lewis and Anna Barne for their help organising the event, to Glenn ‘Two Tongs’ Turner for manning the BBQ, to the players and families who came back after the washed-out weekend, and all those who contributed to another successful Paul Holding Doubles Championship.
Will Bruce