David Poole made a splash at Numurkah Lawn Tennis Club’s 92nd Australia Day tournament, while Laura Langmead made waves as they each took out two titles at the historic competition.
Poole defeated eight-time champion Nick Fenaughty in the singles final before earning the men’s doubles crown alongside Nick Damianopoulos.
Oakleigh’s Langmead triumphed in the women’s singles championship against Kialla’s Yvette Ambrosini, storming her way through the field to take the title.
Following that, she then added the mixed doubles championship to her collection after winning alongside partner Nyall Langmead.
In the men’s A-grade singles, Poole and Fenaughty blitzed their way through the men’s singles competition in the early rounds, with neither player dropping a set on the way to the decider.
Poole was simply too good in the finale for Fenaughty, playing some superb tennis as he earned a dominant victory.
It wasn’t the only time the two faced off at the tournament, with Poole and Fenaughty on opposite sides of the net again in the A-grade doubles title game.
Once again it was Poole who had the edge, with he and his Numurkah teammate Damianopoulos edging past Fenaughty and Elliott Small in an exciting 8-6 encounter.
Poole was on fire all weekend, pulling out a shot in an earlier doubles match-up that Numurkah Lawn Tennis Club president Nick Ludington said was incredible to behold.
“He hit one of the best points I have ever seen,” Ludington said.
“He hit a behind-the-back volley winner on match point, it was literally the best shot I have ever seen in local tennis.”
About 120 players from across the state took to the court at the two-day event.
Ludington said the tournament benefited from people visiting from Melbourne and more support from other clubs in the region.
“We had probably the best turnout we have had since COVID, and even pre-COVID, it was good,” Ludington said.
“We reached out to the other local clubs and they all got on board like Shepparton, Mooroopna and Kialla Park Old Students, which was good.”
In its 92nd edition, Ludington said the event was a huge deal for Numurkah Lawn Tennis Club, adding he hoped it could grow in the future.
“It is the highlight of our calendar, it is probably in line with the club championships in terms of prestige,” he said.
“The tournament has lacked its place in regional standings recently. Our plan in the next three to five years is to bring back the prestige.
“We want people to come to Numurkah and make it a tournament that is definitely seen to be worth winning.
“Hopefully the field this year suggests that we are building towards that.”
Players sweltered through a 38°C scorcher on Saturday, before enduring showers and humid conditions on Sunday.
But despite the mixed weather, Ludington said all matches were able to go ahead.
“We battled the weather, but we got through every single event. But it was touch and go for a little bit, I must admit,” Ludington said.
Meanwhile, there was a special victory in the A-grade women’s doubles.
Dhurringile’s Lisa Niglia has been battling serious illness the past few years and she teamed up with Shepparton’s Cathy O’Brien to earn a memorable victory.
“Lisa has battled health issues and it was great to see her back out on the courts at Numurkah with her partner Cathy,” Ludington said.
“It was great to see her have a win. She was a welcome sight for all members.”
The men’s B-grade title was taken out by Numurkah Raiders player Jai Harrington, who defeated Shepparton’s Lorenzo Rigoli in the final 6-2.
Upwey South’s Bec Broecker got over the line in the women’s B-grade competition, with Palmira Rigoli taking out the runner-up trophy.
The B-grade men’s doubles winners were Numurkah’s Andrew Storer and son Hudson, while Palmira Rigoli and Ambrosini joined forces to clinch the women’s doubles championship.
Rigoli was then at it again, winning the B-grade mixed doubles with her son Lorenzo Rigoli.
C-grade victors were Yarrawonga pair Jeremy Kelly and Cam Arthur (men’s doubles), Emma Schmedje and Michelle Stephens (women’s doubles) and Simon and Bec Broecker (mixed doubles).
This weekend home and away matches resume in Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association after the Australia Day long weekend.
The GM1 Warriors are playing away on Saturday when they take on Shepparton Lawn The Valley.
The GM2 Raiders will host the Shepp Blues, the GM4 Penguins travel to Nathalia and the GM5 Raptors and Ravens lock horns again in Showdown IV.