RMTC WEEKLY NEWS – MARCH 8

Lunches are on!
Feeling peckish during the day? Pop into the Club on Wednesday or Friday and our spectacular chef, Evie, will whip you up something certain to sooth the pangs. The regulars are always ready to go, steak and salmon cooked to perfection, or try something new that may have just been created. Come in and visit us, maybe book a game of tennis before or after, and bring your friends/colleagues/enemies/anyone who you can entice with food.
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UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

Gerald Patterson Cup (RMTC vs RSYLTC) – Sat 18 Mar
The time is coming for the annual real tennis vs lawn tennis battle with our siblings at that other club over the river. If you’re interested in a fun day of tennis, real and lawn, with some food thrown in the mix then this competition is for you. Sign up in the Club or contact Geof Fethers at ghf@reedylagoon.com.au

Prospective members’ Introduction Night – Wed 22 Mar
The club needs good new members and we ask for your help to raise awareness of the game with your friends and colleagues. Take this opportunity to bring a friend to the Club and let us introduce him/her to our great game.

70+ Handicap Doubles Tournament – Sat 25 Mar
A new tournament has appeared on the calendar! If your handicap is over 70 you’re eligible for this tournament, find yourself a partner whose handicap is also over 70 and sign up or give the pro shop a ring if you’re interested but don’t know who you can play with.
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TOURNAMENT REPORTS

Old Scholars Handicap Doubles – Sun 5 Mar

Well what a day it was. The Old Scholars is a great tournament giving each team a great chance to pit its skills against opposition comprising alumni mostly from the same institution, ie. school, in a pretty competitive environment. As always this year’s event was closely contested and enjoyed by everyone. Thanks to Kate and the RMTC team for organising the day and helping where necessary on the owe 30, receive half 15 matches in which most of us have issues.

However all good on the day as they say with Matt Downey and Sam Bowman (representing Canberra University of all places, not sure how they got so much practice?) triumphant, winning the final 6/4 against the hitherto undefeated Robin McAllen and Robyn Woods (representing the Florey Institute)

Undefeated in the round robin (get it) format the “robins” met their match in the final but only after Sam realised that the bend in the wall on the receiving side (known by most of us as the tambour) was in fact banned to him. Matt, playing a very measured and error free game gently reminded him not to hit it on many an occasion but until the last 4 games Sam thought better of that advice. It might have been the potential penalty of shedding an item of clothing each transgression that really swung the deal. Matt was not entirely off the hook having served a fault first point which with one serve only was not sensible at the time but he never transgressed again!

As for the rest not much to add really except that there were a lot of 5/5 40/40 games and very few disputed ‘half yard’ hazard chases, evidence that the system does seem to work.

Tony Miach and Russell Middleton (a doubtful Melbourne uni combo on all counts) missed the final on a count back.

Lizzie Brown and Georgie Lewis, resplendent in pinnies (representing the CWA) did brilliantly and marked exceptionally well as did Andrew in a brief guest appearance mainly arranged between baby sitting duties.

Fiona Hewson (serving beautifully) and Anne-Maree Lester (St Margarets) along with Annie and Geoff Dempster (Geoff now resolved to leave more to Annie as she is playing very well and improving exponentially), representing LaTrobe arts all had their moments and shared some well earned (or needed as the case may have been) drinks at the presentation.

All in all another terrific day in the office.

We are lucky to have such a dedicated team at this club making it a club of which we should be proud. Thanks to all concerned.

Russell Middleton