A very clear display that tennis can be a great family sport shared across generations with seven of the 16 competitors at Wisanger v Western Districts playing with sons, daughters, fathers or siblings on Saturday.

With three key players unavailable Jamie worked some magic and gathered a team including Georgie and Trevor Weatherspoon. Georgie is enthusiastically learning the game with other juniors on Friday nights and her dad has been a well respected competitor in the KITA in many previous seasons, but has not played regularly for some time.

Alan Thomas graciously stood aside to allow some potentially good match ups for the younger brigade in positions 7 and 8 with Jake Christiansen taking a spot again in the Wisanger team. Mikayla, Jack, Jake and Georgie had some very close matches through the day.

Wisanger favoured by a stronger depth of available players had the edge over their opponents in many of the matches and finished up winning comfortably. It is always difficult to remain fully competitive when players are elevated up the order when numbers of higher ranked players are unavailable.

A note here for all young players. A well developed technique with skills required in your favoured sport will last you a lifetime. Please make the most of the opportunities you have to learn from Darren as he provides excellent coaching that you will all benefit from.

This was very evident when watching Trevor’s ability to take to the court and play some great tennis having not played for many seasons. Although a very gifted and talented all-round sportsman, his ball striking was testament to very sound technique that he worked hard to develop as he learned the game.

Alex Laver found some good form combining well with Trevor late in the day in a reverse double against Wheaty and Blondie. Perhaps this was due to fear of poor performance, having been on the receiving end of his partner’s full-on practice serves, in the middle of his back, prior to the match even getting underway!

This final match of the day was a tight tussle with the Wisanger pair leading, but unable to break away until winning the last two games from 7 all. Great for those of us who have enjoyed playing with and against ’Spoon to see him back on the court.