Tennis: Yes we match-fix at vets level

The oldest of the Hawke's Bay contingent in the New Zealand Veterans tennis tournament will be 84-year-olds Graham Ramsden (left) and Lloyd Jones and 85-year-old Buster Sharplin. Photo / Warren Buckland

Expect some match-fixing at the New Zealand Veterans Tennis Championship in Napier next week.

"We call it supporting each other. If one of us can help another local win a title by beating one of the visitors in our age group we will," Graham Ramsden explained.

The Hawke's Bay Lawn 84-year-old who still plays up to four times each week will be one of three Hawke's Bay starters in a six-strong 80-plus men's singles field. Another of the same age from his club, Lloyd Jones, and 85-year-old former Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby lock Buster Sharplin of the Greendale club are the others.

While Jones and Ramsden will also play in the doubles, Sharplin, will only tackle the singles.

"Rugby was a team game and you fitted in," Sharplin, who played against the 1956 Springboks and 1959 Lions, said.

"I like singles because you only have yourself to blame."

A former Marlborough under-16 singles champion who took up tennis as a 14-year-old, Sharplin said while he would like to win the title next week he knows there are entrants who are fitter and boast more ability than him.

"I just want to be a part of the tournament because it's local. When the tournament comes back to the Bay again in four years I'll be close to 90 and I might not be playing," he added.

Ramsden, who started playing tennis as a 6-year-old, will be playing in his third national vets tournament.

"Back in my day coaching was done by your mother or father. I remember my mother hitting balls back to me and I got some coaching when I attended Hereworth School. Those were the days when tennis was an extra to rugby and cricket," Ramsden recalled.

"I have yet to win a title at this level and I don't fancy my chances this time. I consider it a real bonus to be playing at my age ... it's great for my fitness and health."

Jones, who started playing as a 13-year-old, has lost count of the number of national vets tournaments he has played in.

"I know I have won a couple of doubles titles and I do remember a Tauranga nationals when I didn't have enough water and I collapsed after a two-and-a-quarter-hour singles match. I have let my fitness go a bit and I am scared of the heat we're likely to be playing in. Anything over 23 or 24 degrees is always a concern for me."

A highlight of his time in the code was playing in four different Aussie venues as a member of a Kiwi vets team.

"It's a wonderful sport and I enjoy the fun of it. I'm not as competitive as some of my mates ... it's not about winning now, it's about the enjoyment ... you can't get a better sport."

The trio look forward to the post-game chats where their younger days are often recalled. Sharplin's rugby days are always a hot topic and many of his opponents find it hard to believe he had to pay three and six for a bus ride from Hastings to Napier to play in the match against the Boks.

The tournament, which starts on Saturday and finishes on Wednesday, will involve 166 players in age groups from 35-plus to 80-plus. The field includes players from Japan, England and Australia, and the Hawke's Bay Lawn, Greendale and Nelson Park courts will be used. Thirty-three Hawke's Bay players will be in action and the progress of two world-ranked Kiwis in the 55-plus age group will be watched with interest. United States-based Aucklander Paul Smith has a No1 world ranking in mixed doubles and No2 in doubles, while Canterbury's Peter Hampton is ranked third in mixed doubles and fifth in doubles.

Western Bay of Plenty's 75-plus entrant Tup Cox will chase her 50th national title while Western Bay of Plenty's 70-plus starter Dave Hawkes should travel home with his 40th national title.