‘Pa’ chops way to last four in National Senior Games

eighton ‘Pa’ Roach is living proof that age is just a number.

The sprightly 72-year-old road tennis legend marched into the semifinals of the 61 plus division in the National Senior Games Road Tennis tournament in dominant fashion on Wednesday night.

Playing at the Belfield hardcourt, Roach wasted little time in dispatching Carol Best, 21-14, 21-16, to book his spot in the final four.

His opponent in Thursday night’s semifinal, which ironically will be played at the Deighton ‘Pa’ Roach Facility in Bush Hall, will be tennis coach Winslow Birkett, who was brutal in handing Altson Fleming a ‘double sow’ in a 21-7, 21-9 hammering.

The other semifinal match in the division will see Fernanda Brathwaite take on Wayne Johnson.

Brathwaite advanced after crushing Gregory Hinds 21-9, 21-6, while Johnson won by default after Richard Pinder did not take to the court.

In the men’s 56-50 division, Terance Prescott dismissed Derek ‘Gumma’ Burke 21-11, 21-14, Daniel King overcame Jeffrey ‘Bing Cosby’ Layne 24-22, 21-7, Francisco ‘Frankie’ Lewis defeated Peter Moore 13-21, 27-25, 22-20 and Winston Moore beat James Small 17-21, 21-16, 21-16, with the winners advancing to the semis.

In the men’s 40-45 division, the semifinals will see Paul Mayers come up against Jason ‘Pipey’ Parris and Fernando ‘Shortman’ Burgess will play Merlon Edwards.

Trevor Callender and Abbie Clarke will clash in the men’s 46-50 semifinals, while Stephen Joseph and Derryck ‘Prime Minister’ Clarke face off in the other semis.

And in the semifinals of the men’s 51-55 division, Shawn Browne takes on Donald Grazette and Anthony ‘Prince’ Haynes will try to overcome Donovan ‘Pa’ Riley.

(RB)