Collaroy brings home Tennis Northern Beaches titles

Winners (L to R) Nina, Felicia and Kim

In this year’s first Tennis Northern Beaches Monday Night Ladies Comp. that finished in June, Collaroy fielded a team in Division 2 comprising Felicia, Kim D. and Nina. It was the first time these ladies had joined forces in a comp. team.

Unfortunately Kim suffered an injury early in the season, so was only able to play a few matches… but when she did, despite being in pain, she still managed to dominate with her trademark powerful shots and precision placement.

Kim steps into a big backhand

In the main, it was left to Nina and Felicia to fly the flag. The two made a dynamic pairing, Nina's beautiful topspin ground-strokes neatly complementing Felicia's dynamic volleying at the net. It proved to be a great winning combination.

Felicia prepares to hit a drive volley

Playing teams from rival clubs Belrose, Careel Bay, Keirle Park and Terrey Hills, the Collaroy girls dropped only three of their 15 matches throughout the Comp., winning over 80% of the sets they played! The team finished as Minor Premiers, nine points clear of their closest rival.

In the Semi-Final, Collaroy played the 4^th-placed Belrose in what turned out to be a nail-biter. The Collaroy team just scraped through, winning the first set 6-2, but dropping the second 5-7. It all came down to an incredibly close deciding set in which Felicia and Nina held their nerve and held on to win 7-5 to earn a place in the Final.

The Final against Terrey Hills was a far less dramatic affair, with our ladies romping through the first two sets 6-3, 6-2 and therefore claiming victory. Asked about her experience throughout the Comp., Felicia said: “It was a real privilege to play, not only against some talented tennis players but also some very lovely ladies. We made many great new friends and some future hitting partners along the way. Nina, Kim and myself all thoroughly enjoyed our first Comp. together. Let’s hope we’ll be back to defend our title!”

In the same Comp., we also had a winning team in Div. 5. That team originally comprised Michela, Lavinia and Kate, but again, injuries played their part and Karen W. and Carmen were brought in as valuable back-up.

Collaroy actually fielded three teams in Div. 5 and all three made it to the Semi-Finals! Congratulations to Semi-Finalists, Christie F. and Erica B. and to Clair and Julie M. In one Semi., it was Collaroy v Collaroy, with Michela and Karen playing Christie and Erica. In the other, Clair and Julie played a team from Mona Vale.

While Michela and Karen were victorious, Mona Vale won the 2^nd Semi. For the all-important Final, ‘Super Sub.’ Carmen entered the fray and she and Michela were simply too strong for their opposition. Another great win to Collaroy!

A big shout out to the swiftly improving Michela who was the undoubted lynchpin of this winning team throughout.

Michela in action

Emily C & Kate P were also Runners Up in the Monday Night Ladies Comp. in Div. 3.

A huge congratulations to all the Ladies involved in this Comp. … you represented our Club with skill and sportsmanship and further built Collaroy’s reputation as a competitive, yet friendly place to play.

In some other solid results for the Club in the TNB Comps., the brother / sister combination of Lauren and Rob Woods was Runner-Up in Div. 1 of the Thursday Night Mixed Comp. – a great result as there are some serious players in this grade.

Rob backed up to play the Wednesday Night Men’s Comp. in Div. 2 with Geoff A, and again, the Collaroy team put up a great fight to finish Runner Up.

Finally, our hard-working committee reps. Damian and Kenny were Semi-Finalists in Div. 3 of the Wednesday Night Men’s Comp. Well done everyone!