Taupombledon 2008

With the sporting world left in limbo in 2007 when there was no Fulhimbledon, the sequel - Taupobledon - had been highly anticipated. As some of the best athletes from Auckland and Wellington descended on the Huka Village Resort, questions were being asked whether the relocation of this big tournament to the other side of the world could be a success. After two days of tennis at a level you would expect, and drinking you won't believe - the answer was a resounding YES!

As we all trickled in on the Friday evening, much concern was for the imminent arrival of the Owen-Burns pairing. Not because we wanted to see what shape these perennial finalists were in, but because they were bringing up the keg of Emerson's Bookbinder in their car. And considering their recent diversions through Wanganui, such concern was warranted (an escort through Bulls was in fact considered). It wasn't long before we had all arrived and headed off to bed early to prepare for the next day's tennis - yeah right....

No, as all good tennis pros will tell you, the best preparation for a big tournament is to stay up the night before drinking. And so we duly obliged. The keg was going down a treat. The tap system James had brought up was giving a great pour, the only issue was the lack of appropriate glass ware - but what's wrong with a mug of beer anyway? Some tried to get in some sneaky practice on the swing-ball, while others tried to help Jimmy see how many shapes we could put his bed into. The decision to cook up some bacon sarnies are 1am in the morning was also an inspired decision, and must surely help to explain the quality of tennis the next day. Foggy memories tell us we finally drifted off to bed at around 3am, with Taupombledon off to a great start.

When Saturday morning dawned, the skies were brilliantly clear. Much unlike our heads, which were under some heavy clouds. James tried to clear his with an early 8am pint of Bookbinder. And while you have to admire his devotion to the cause, hindsight told us it didn't help him with the following day's proceedings - on and off the court. After an athletes breakfast - bacon and eggs - everybody headed back to their quarters to get changed to head over to the courts.

Everybody looked slick in their whites (or near whites), the Federer-effect unmistakable, with the trouser look very popular - JT having even donned the blazer (reminiscent of his tweed wearing days). Once the keg was set up and the can of balls cracked open, it wasn't long before TournieMaster Tom had us out on the court playing. And it was tough going out there. Rallies were long and the sun was hot, and this required frequent draughts of beer and punch by boys and girls alike. Both pools were competitive and favourites were steadily trying to edge their way to the finals. Of course, JT won the award for being the most animated - though disappointingly didn't throw his racket....this time.

When the final did come around, it ended up pitting previous winners - Sam & Anna vs Mike & Iris. And even at the end of the day nothing could part these two couples, with the final needing to go to a tie-breaker after it was 2-2 after service games. What followed was a seesaw of fortunes and some great tennis from the girls. But eventually Mike & Iris triumphed and became the first 2-times winners of the much coveted giant tennis ball-cum-trophy.

With the tennis over for another year, the boys also got to engage in that traditional - but forehead numbing - game of tennis-football-header with the trophy. But with the lights starting to be turned down on a beautiful Taupo day, we all headed back to carry on the celebrations. The keg - which I wondered whether we would get through - failed early on the evening and with the evening coming to an end around 3am again, we were left to drinking some pretty watered down punch. And while it is questionable whether tennis was the winner on the day, our livers were most definitely the losers. Between the 18 of us, its calculated we got through a Grand Slam winning:
+ keg of Bookbinder
+ additional 6-dozen beer
+ 25 bottles of wine
+ 2 bottles of Pimms
+ 1 bottle of vodka

But despite some understandable grogginess on that Sunday morning, consensus was that the Taupombledon format was a resounding success. Thoughts were already turning to the next year, where the tournament will do doubt get even bigger with some notable pairings missing this year. After a cleansing walk around Huka Falls, the North/South divide split once again, with those heading south making an unfortunate stop at a dodgy Taihape cafe. Dodgy tummies aside, I'm sure everyone had a great weekend.

More pics from the weekend are here.