The Border Cups Tennis Tournament was completed over the weekend of the 20th and 21st August at Dumfries Tennis Club with 12 players competing in the singles and 8 pairs in the doubles over the 2 days. The event was again supported by Soltyre Ltd from Heathhall with DS Roofing Ltd sponsoring the match balls. Saturday’s play was disrupted by heavy rain with only 6 full matches being completed from the scheduled 10. In the first round of matches, which were played in between the rain showers, there were wins for Jason Grindall, Richie Cunningham, Kyle Singh and Michael Goldie. In the quarter finals defending champion Colin Dunbar used all his experience to comfortably beat Michael Goldie 6-0, 6-0 and likewise tournament favourite from the Border Robert Ainsley eased past Jason Grindall 6-2, 6-1. With both top seeds through the remaining 2 quarters were postponed until Sunday morning as the heavens opened again and flooded the courts. An early start on Sunday saw both the number 3 and 4 seeds tumble out the event. Richie Cunningham overcame Brain Litster 6-0, 5-7, 10-4 to secure his place in the semi and likewise Kyle Singh edged a tight match again Dan McKiddie taking the match 7-6, 4-6, 12-10. In the semi-finals both Robert and Colin eased past their opponents as Robert beat Kyle 6-1, 6-2 and Colin beat Richie 6-0, 6-0. Play then switched to the doubles, in the first round defending champions Colin and Jonny Short beat Jason and Kyle 6-0, 6-2, Brian Litster and Fraser Patterson beat brothers Lewis and Kyle Gilmour 6-2, 6-2, Dan and Lister Mckiddie edged past Richie Cunningham and Mike McMillin 4-6, 6-3, 10-6 and Borders duo of Robert Ainsley and Harris Brogan beat Martin Wilson and Michael Goldie 6-1, 6-1.
In the singles final we had the top 2 seeds with 3 times defending Colin Dunbar taking on favourite from the Borders Robert Ainsley. Colin looked in control as he raced into a 3-0 lead but that’s where it ended and Robert won the next 12 games to take the final 6-3, 6-0 and the trophy as it returned to the Borders for the first time in over 10 years, in the consolation final brothers Kyle and Lewis played an entertaining match with older brother Lewis edging past Kyle 6-4, 6-0. With Saturday’s rain delays there was no rest for the players with 3 doubles semi-finals starting straight after the singles final. In the main draw defending champions Colin and Jonny beat Brian and Fraser 6-3, 6-1 and Robert and Harris beat Lister and Dan 6-3, 6-4. In the consolation semi’s Richie and Mike beat Martin and Michael to set up a final against Lewis and Kyle Gilmour who received a walk-over after the other pair retired. In the consolation Richie and Mike used all their experience to beat Lewis and Kyle 6-0, 6-3. In the main final Robert and Harris got off to a great start as they took the first set against defending champions 6-1, however Colin and Jonny hung in and eventually edged the second set 7-6 which set up an final champions tie-break set which Colin and Jonny took control of early and eventually won 10-5 to regain their title and brink the competition to a close.
Dumfries & Galloway Tennis 