Best of the Best ace team tourney
Some 30 players took part during the course of the league.
Despite threats of rain seemingly everywhere in the province, it somehow stayed away from Southbroom Tennis Club last Sunday. This was much to the relief of tournament convenor Ugu Tennis Association president Sharon van der Schyff, who was thus able to oversee the successful completion of the UTA 50s Team League.
It was close, with Best of the Best clinching victory by four points. The Unbeataballs managed to defeat Best of the Best on the day, but not by enough to overhaul their overall lead.
It meant the winning trophies went the way of Andrea Browne (captain), Bianca Otto, Ruben van Reenen and Christiaan Otto. The Unbeataballs comprised Summer Dyer (captain), Giorgia Murray, Hercue de Bruin and Daniel Moreira.
Claiming the bronze medal were the Ace Assassins, namely Luca Oosthuis, Seth Cubbin, Lily Dyer and Layla de Beer. In fourth place were The A Team (Nate Beekman, Alek Wagner, Ella Wagner and Emi Ntombela), who beat the Assassins, but not by enough to sneak past into third place.
Van Reenen Aces beat Racquet Rascals to avoid the wooden spoon. The Aces team comprised dad John, Emmanél, Abigail and Bertu and the Rascals Gill Spittal, Evan Spittal, Rutendo Tavio and Tafara Tavio.
The league was played on a round robin basis over three dates. Sharon said one of the association’s strategies was to create opportunities to develop the next generation of tennis players and ignite in them a passion for the sport. “Tennis is an amazing game, and the UTA 50s league was a project which provided a safe and organised environment in which our youth could test their skills, grow accustomed to competing and thoroughly enjoy themselves,” Sharon said she hoped the league would grow next year and said the introduction of a B division was likely.
LOG
1 Best of the Best 139
2 Unbeataballs 135
3 Ace Assassins 85
4 The A Team 81
5 Van Reenen Aces 75
6 Racquet Rascals 66
* Coming up
In other tennis, the annual KZN Uvongo Seniors takes place at Uvongo Tennis Club on November 2 and 3. Cost is R450 all-inclusive (snacks, lunch, brunch).
For more info, contact Johan van Niekerk on 082 5384992 or Peter Digby on 082 8017818.
The Ugu Masters, for ages 30 and up, takes place from December 5 to 8. This is a Tennis South Africa tournament, which carries ranking points and attracts players from around the country.
Juniors can look forward to a South Coast tournament run by coach Frank Hall at Southbroom from December 12 to 14.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
