Lower Northland Masters Tennis division 1 champions Jeff Crichton and Craig McFall, successfully defended their title when the tournament was played in Warkworth and Snells Beach last month. Crichton and McFall, from Auckland, defeated Lower Northland duo Michael Cosier and Jarryd Brits. The one-day event attracted players from as far north as Kerikeri and as far south as Waikato, and plenty of local talent featured in the finals.

A total of 96 players competed across three men’s and ladies’ doubles divisions, utilising 12 courts at both Warkworth Rackets and Mahurangi East Tennis Club. Organiser Rob Robertson said the tournament was played in beautiful weather, with enthusiastic crowds and numerous thrilling matches, all played in a great spirit of sportsmanship. Last year’s women’s defending champions, Craigie McCulloch (Lower Northland) and Fionia Wikaira (Auckland) were unable to repeat their victory, falling to Wendy Jambor (Northland) and Jane Ioaba (Auckland) in the division 1 final.

Numerous local players enjoyed success, with Kat Kayll and Robin Denton clinching the ladies’ division 1 plate, Rachel Iversen and Jodie Hanna taking out the division 2 plate, and Pam Cartmell and Dawn Rogers winning the division 3 plate. In the men’s division, David Leon and Jonny St George captured the division 2 plate, while Oliver Zabala and Alastair Lane secured the division 3 plate. Robertson said the success of this event relied heavily on the generous support of all the.