Dumbleyung Lawn Classic 2026 hits record player numbers with 160 stepping on to the court

Tennis lovers celebrated Valentine’s Day in a special way with nearly 200 players from around the State competing in the 2026 Dumbleyung Lawn Classic at the weekend.

The tournament’s 26th year had 160 players take to the court over two days of intense men’s, women’s and mixed doubles competition.

On Saturday the men’s A-grade doubles had a thrilling tie-breaker finish between Angus Armstrong (Toolibin) and Michael McSpadden (Narrogin) and “the Jacks”, Jack Pearce and Jack Faulkner.

Dumbleyung’s Pearce and Kukerin’s Faulkner just tipped the finishing set in their favour to secure the win after an even back and forth.

In the women’s A-grade doubles Jodie Martens (Katanning) and tennis coach Megan Henry (Dumbleyung) sealed first place when facing Tenterden team Alex Riggall and Clare King.

Narrogin’s 12-year-old tennis protege Zander Wilkie triumphed beside club partner Jason Eastwood in men’s B-grade against Dumbleyung team Lee Smith and Jon Ward.

Isabelle Kilpatrick and Zoe Gibson proved to be a force defeating runners-up Sam Lee and Nicky Thompson who had made the drive from Albany in the women’s B-grade.

C-grade champion Dumbleyung-Toolibin pair Matthew Dare and Byron Blevin claimed a win against Mandurah’s Lee Goodwin and Lintorn Bowen.

Cowaramup Tennis Club C-grade women’s duo Lisa Clark and Anita Revel were unshakable, pushing past Pascale Abbot and Tika Baxter (Margaret River).

The 2025 Lawn Classic best dressed Wilma Bentley and Cherry Goodwin from South Mandurah Tennis Club were clear day-one winners for their second consecutive year, dressed in Valentine nurse attire to match an unspoken theme.

The junior hit-the-target game winner was Clare Kowald and adult winner was Lynley Keley.

The heated contest continued into Sunday as high-grade mixed doubles ended in even sets and countbacks were required to decide the winners.

Chad Davidson and Jodie Martens took out a closely contest grade one title, needing a countback to prevail over Henry and Armstrong.

Wilkie took his second victory for the weekend with partner Eliza Murray in a close countback tie-breaker over runners-up Nicki Evans and Kendal Ballard in grade two.

Power-pairing Dare and Gibson, who won in their respective doubles comp the day before, were victorious in grade three over Graeme Lewis and Laura McLean.

Dumbleyung’s Jon Ward and Candice Lloyd won grade four and Howie Ward with Margaret River partner Tika Baxter triumphed in grade five.

Grade six winners Pascale Abbot and Dean Toovey proved too strong for runners-up and mother and son duo Suzie Perrin and Toby Perrin.

Day two best dressed were Alex Roediger and Mitchell Ashworth donned in all hot pink with Zoe Mottershead and Sam Pullman named a close second wearing vintage Fila.