There were 30 men on Friday for the singles but only four ladies. We were blessed with fine warm days but after very white frosts to start the day were told by some of the players driving to Cessnock it looked like snow.

The men’s singles on Friday were won by the following players after long hard sets:

- 35-plus in two sections with Peter Printer the winner and Leigh Holmes runner-up; Kakki Kayan  winner with Ron Pagano runner-up.

- 50-plus by Geoff Hayes and Miroslav Pisa form Canberra, who called in last year and enjoyed it and returned again this year for the singles and was also a winner in the mens doubles with Geoff Hayes.

- 60-plus by John Marks and Ken Solomons runner-up

- 70s by Robert Hall and Brian Humphrey from Dubbo.

Some of the mens singles matches were not finished until after 4.30pm.

The ladies was won by Nicole Pinchbeck from Cherrybrook and Kerri Summerhayes from Merewether.

A round robin was played in the afternoon for non-singles players and the winners were Sandra Hegarty from Cundletown with Helen Macduff and Leanne Way equal and Mary Gordon from Sydney.

On Saturday we commenced with men’s and ladies doubles with 38 men in their divisions and 44 ladies.

Winners were for the men Geoff Hayes and Miroslav Pisa, Jim Coultis and Steve Harris, Warren Hall and Warren George, Mike Hooh and Kevin Webb, with Glen Armstrong and Craig Taylor from Dubbo, Barry Wilson and Neil Birks, John McInnes and Alan Beasley and Brian Humphreys and Neville Thomas runners-up.

In the ladies, Nicole Pinchbeck and Leanne Sommers were winners with Colleen Allen and Robyn Langdon, Sandra Murphy (our local player) and Christene Burns, Mary Gordon and Margaret Wayte also winners with the following runners-up: Kerri Summerhayes and Kay Nealon, Julie Bodycote and Sue Swan, Bernadette Aikin and Judy Vintiner, Carolyn Perks and Karen Hanratty.

The mixed in the afternoon saw all courts filled for play, with Kay Nealon and Dean Robertson, Julie Andrews and Steve Harris, Robyn Langdon and Warren George, Christine Burns and John McInnes, Jennifer Gill and our local player Glen Jones all the winners, with the following runners-up: Jo Clarke and Glen Armstrong, Margaret Wayte and Mick Bruton, Judy Gemmell and Warren Hall, Judy Vintiner and Alan Beesley, and Bernadette Aikin and San Melita.

After a quick change we joined players at East Cessnock Bowling Club for dinner and a dance which followed, but before dancing six line dancers showed us the finer steps to their line; they were joined by Sandra who played tennis during the day and then danced the night away.

Players returned to the courts again early Sunday morning for play where we had 28 men and more ladies again, with 40.

Winners of the men were Mike Lynn and Peter Walker, Kristan Renneberg and Jo Attard, Hadrian Cullum and Rob Eldridge; runners-up were Glen Armstrong and Craig Taylor, Sam Melita and Peter Michie (who came in on Sunday when we were short of a player), and Warren George and Warren Hall.

Winners in the ladies were Robyn Langdon and Colleen Allen, Mary Gordon and Loretta Funnell, Helen Burge and Irene Stimson, Moira James and Carol Doherty; runners-up, Judy Gemmell and Judy Halbedl, Kim Bullock and Fiona Weinert, Julie Bodycote and Susan Swan, Sandra Murphy  and Cheryl Tyas.

With long distances for return there were less players after lunch, when two divisions of mixed were played.

Winners were Ken and Barbara Young with Warren Hall and Judy Halbedl runners-up and in section 2, Leanne Sommers and Lyle King with Donna Roddom and Rob Eldridge the runners-up.

A special thanks to all players and helpers who helped us achieve another very successful tournament. And thanks to Sandra who always asks a special person for a fine weekend without the rain. Maureen must have worked for no wind as we were without it.

We have to thank all our helpers, Beryl and Gaylene in the kitchen and some times in the canteen, the ladies who helped out on Saturday, we cannot thank you all enough for the help in a very successful weekend. Also to our dedicated cooks with Joy and her slices both on Friday and Saturday and for Moira going home on Saturday after playing to make another slice for Sunday, and to Nicky and Brad in the barbecue area.

We had comments from players as to their enjoyment in coming and playing and enjoying the hospitality in Cessnock and will all be back next year.

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