That was what unfolded at the Eglinton Tennis Club on Saturday when players finally returned to the court following the end of the COVID-19 lockdown and took part in an American round robin tournament.

The tournament was organised by match convenor Rod Schumacher and co-ordinated on the day by club president Jason Honeyman, with a strong field of 12 competitors.

In the end it was the golden oldies of Bryan 'the rock' Reiri, Frank Buckley and John 'slugger' Bullock who turned back the clock, playing some vintage tennis taking out the open division and second division respectively.

In the open division, Reiri and Bullock tied in first place on 21 points and showed the crowd that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the up and coming Saturday afternoon competition.

Both players looked sharp and totally focused on the court, letting their rackets doing the talking.

In the second division competition, Buckley was full of running and played very consistent tennis to frustrate his opponents.

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It was a remarkable effort for Buckley to take out his division of the tournament as he has been off the scene for around 12 months recovering from shoulder surgery.

Club committeeman Graeme Stapleton, who was courtside for the action, believes the return of the players and the tournament itself was a huge success.

''How lucky can a guy be to be courtside to witness the golden oldies turn back the clock, play their trump cards, knock off the tall poppy players and take out the tournament?" Stapleton said.

"How sweet it is to see such champagne tennis."

To all the players who participated: Dave Craft; Jason Honeyman; Bryan Reiri; John Bullock; Bailey Honeyman; Andrew Tree; Maddie Honeyman; Toko Tari; Frank Buckley; Andrew Howarth; Liam Smith; and Sebastian Honeyman, bravo for making the tournament a huge success.

Without the players, there could not have been a tournament, and also a big thank you to Schumacher and Jason Honeyman their organisational skills.

Well that's all we have from the biggest little club in the west in this week.

Good hitting.

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