COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 23, 2023 19
BBBBBBBB SSSSS Cole holds off Bernardi to take men's decider
ADAM Cole has won the Collie Lawn Tennis Club’s men’s singles title. In the championship final last weekend Cole won a fantastic final against Paul Bernardi. Both players exhibited fantastic skills, with long rallies and some impressive winners coming from both sides of the net. In a straight sets win that belies how close the games were, Cole took out the championship 6-4, 6-4. Other championship events played during March included the women's doubles in which the newly formed team of Chrischelle Davis and Sara Cole beat Karen McGuckin and Whitney Marley, 6-2, 6-3. Following a short break, Davis and Cole returned to the court, this time on opposite sides of the net for the mixed doubles. Davis teamed up with long-time doubles partner Paul Bernardi, while Cole teamed up for the first time with her brother, Adam. The match was hard fought, with many long games going to multiple
deuces, and teams trading breaks in serve. After two and a half hours, and three close sets, team Cole managed to take the win 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. The men's doubles final featured newly formed pairs. Paul Bernardi and Adam Cole took the win over Kevin Davis and Jason Earnshaw, 6-1, 6-1.
2023 club singles champion Adam Cole.
Jason Earnshaw.
Chrischelle Davis.
Season to kick off under new lights FOOTBALL COLLIE Eagles will take on South Bunbury in Collie’s first game of the 2023 South West Football League season this Saturday. The game will be played under the
newly erected lights at the Collie Recreation Ground. Eagles club president Matt Blackford said Saturday is a big day for the club and a social event, including the players’ auction, is planned in the clubrooms after the games. Blackford said all grades are expected to be competitive this season. “The competition is really good this year," he said. "There’s been a lot of different players across the teams and our players have
turned a leaf in their training. Their attitude has changed, whether it's on the field or off the field, and it reflects in their training habits. “There’s been a culture change where the players have bought into what we’re trying to do and everyone wants to make a difference. It’s been pretty incredible.” Kade East will continue to coach the league side, while Leon Khan will coach the reserves and Mark Lincoln the colts. Matt Stevens is the women’s coach. Blackford said the Eagles’ pre-season
was one of the best for a long time. “They did lots of running, lots of match planning and they had two pre-season games - one was interclub and the other was against Piara Waters,” he said. “The match against Piara Waters was pretty even as they had a good outfit. "We didn't keep score in the interclub game but it was a pretty even match.” Saturday’s colts game bounce down will be at 12.20pm followed by the reserves at 2.15pm, women at 4.10pm and league at 5.40pm.
