Porter-Morneau Reverse Boston Results to become Western New England Champs

DAVID FULLER
FEBURARY 15, 2010
LONGMEADOW, MA

On January 16, 2010 Johan du Randt and Jerry Albrikes bested the pick up team of Matt Porter and Jeff Morneau by scores of 6-3, 6-4 in the final of Men’s Boston National Open contested at Brookline’s The Country Club. Four weeks later on February 13, and approximately 80 miles to the west Porter and Morneau reversed the Boston final and captured the 20th annual Western New England Championships at Longmeadow’s Field Club by the identical scores of 6-3, 6-4. The event was Region II’s fifth and final President’s Cup event of the season.

Although Morneau and Porter had an easier trip to the Longmeadow final than did their opponents, Morneau attributed his side’s victory instead to his intense twenty-eight days of cardio-training, and his Australian partner’s developing mastery of the strategies of the platform game. “He reminds me of myself at 32” quipped the fortyish Morneau, “there’s virtually no ball he can’t make a play on. It’s a pleasure to play with him.” Albrikes and du Randt had been extended to three sets by the team of Garrett Gates and Steve Flannigan in the quarterfinal round, and won a close and entertaining semi-final, also in three, against the wily veteran Chuck Poe and the Field Club’s Alex Seiler.

Both semi-finals and finals were contested before a large and appreciative contingent of club members and other local fans who were dazzled by the artistry and athleticism of the combatants, most especially of du Randt and Porter. Just one week before Longmeadow du Randt and Porter had partnered in the national ranking event in Short Hills where they defeated the second-seeded team. Their participation in this region has substantially elevated the level of the game.

Final Draw

2010 Champions Matt Porter and Jeff Morneau	Finalists (l. to r) Albrikes, du Randt, Porter and Morneau
Finalists Jerry Albrikes and Johan du Randt in action!	(l. to r.) Quarter final reprieve winners are Steve Flannigan and Garrett Gates, finalists defeated Rob Durfee and Hans Doup.