Over The Hill Tournament 2015

Martinborough Lawn Tennis Club hosted the 22nd “ “Over The Hill” tennis tournament over the weekend. Threatening weather on Friday failed to affect the annual lawn tennis tournament, with two mostly fine days drawing in players largely from out of the region to attend the popular country club.

This years mens draw in particular drew in a high caliber of players, including former Davis Club competitor Brett Hibbert, and highly ranked group from Taranaki/Manawatu, including Michael Fleming, Stephen Scott, Grant Goperth and Frayne Bloor. On Saturday’s play, former NZ number 5, Brett Hibbert teamed up with fifteen year old son Hugo, to win the consolation plate final while two times defending champions, Matt Spooner and Cory Spooner from Carterton, were kept under pressure to make it to the final, but in a tight battle, lost to the formidable duo of former NZ number 17 Michael Fleming and Stephen Scott.

The volunteer run committee had worked hard to attract players this year and were delighted to have the largest draw in years. Bringing out, 28 mens pairs and 22 womens pairs on Saturday and 38 combined pairs for Sunday’s play. The Womens draw was won by defending champions Mareta Randall and Kerry Noble from Titahi Bay Club.

Locals to claim prizes were John Douglas (Martinborough) and Grant Haley (Martinborough), winning the Special Plate final. While new member to the Martinborough Club, Christina Mansell was runner up in the Womens Special Plate with Anna d’Shea.

Sunday’s fixture of Combines Doubles, was a full draw also and strong competition was evident to the very end of play. The championship final saw Brett Hibbert teaming up this time with teenage daughter Lucy, whom waged a taxing campaign all day to triumph in the exhausting final over strong contenders Gary Katene and Mareta Randall. It was such a unique opportunity for Brett to play with both of his children.

Players travel from afar to enjoy the unique tournament, several pairs traveling from Auckland and Christchurch to attend. Many commenting on the unique experience of the country club run tournament.

The Over The Hill tournament is brought to the Martinborough community by Porters Pinot and Pain & Kershaw. The Martinborough Tennis Club is very grateful to the many sponsors and friends of the club who provided invaluable assistance, both financially and in kind. The annual fixture is a major fundraiser for the volunteer run club, who are 80% through a large fundraising drive to replace two ageing astro court surfaces. Funding has been successfully granted from Eastern and Central Community Trust, Trust House, Martinborough Community Board, with the final amount still to be raised which will create a multi sports surface under lights at the club.
Photo courtesy Celia Jaspers