This years Border Cups tournament was again hosted by Dumfries Tennis Club and with a few big names missing it was a chance for the rest to stake their claim for the trophies. In the singles we had 12 entries competing over the 2 days with some very entertaining matches in the windy conditions. In the early matches there were goods wins for Jason Grindall who edged a tight match against Malcolm McEwen 4-6, 6-2, 10-4, Stephen White bt Gus McIntyre 6-1, 6-2, Steven McCracken bt Ian Barr 6-3, 6-3 and Kyle Singh squeezed past Chad Lawson 6-4, 7-6(5).

The seeded players entered into the quarter finals and although most enjoyed success in 4 very tight matches we did lose a seed. First up saw Paul Boardman edge the tightest of matches against Kyle Singh 6-2, 4-6, 11-9, Richie Cunningham bt Steven McCracken 6-3,6-3, Then Jason Grindall caused the upset as he ousted the No 4 seed Brian Litster 6-4, 2-6, 10-5 in a battling display. The last of the quarters was Les Harkness against Stephen White in a match which split the onlookers as to who would win this. The match was nip and tuck all the way through as this proved to be the longest match of the day as the players battle on for one hour and thirty nine minutes before Les sealed the match 7-6(1), 6-4.

In the consolation semi finals Chad bt Ian 6-2, 7-5 and Brian handed Malcolm his second championship tie-break loss 6-7(5), 6-3, 10-2. In the main event semi finals Les eased past a tired Jason 6-2, 6-1 and in the other semi, which was the last match of the day, Richie overcame the favourite Paul 6-4, 6-2.

Both singles finals started Sundays play as Les Harkness used all his big match experience to hold Richie Cunningham at bay and despite a late rally Les took the match and the trophy 6-4, 6-4.

In the consolation final, Chad Lawson started well as he put Brian under extreme pressure but the ex Dalbeattie favourite soon put his experience to the fore and started to ask more questions of Chad game to which he had no reply as Brian came out on top 6-3, 6-1.

The doubles had a low entry this year but defending champions Colin Dunbar and Johnny Short were determined to make it 5 in row. The only quarter final saw Chad Lawson and Kyle Singh bt Richie Cunningham and Malcolm McEwen by the narrowest of margins as they booked their place in the semi finals, taking the match 7-5, 7-6(1). The first semi saw Brian Litster and Stephen White ease past Raymond Kirk and Michael Goldie 6-3, 6-2 before Colin and Johnny ended Chad and Kyles adventure as they beat them 6-1, 6-2.

In the consolation final there wasn’t much between the pairs as Richie and Malcolm took the big points to beat Raymond and Michael 6-4, 7-6(6). The main final started well for Brain and Stephen but the experienced duo of Colin and Johnny were in no mood to give up their grip on the trophy as they came out on top by taking the match and the title 6-3, 6-2. Border Results

 

Five weeks in and with the title within sight Dalbeattie made the trip to Castle Douglas to play Stewartry CSC. Although Dalbeattie were favorites for this match and the title, both team were at full strength for this encounter. The first 2 rubbers showed how close the league is with Paul Boardman and Maureen Johnstone  edging the first match against Colin Kennedy and Susan Nugent 7-5, 5-7, 10-5. Then Stewartry bounced back as Bruce Todd and Charlotte Carson leveled the match by beating Stephen White and Francesca Thom 6-4, 6-3. The final 2 rubbers were close as Dalbeattie started to win the big points and Paul and Francesca bt Colin and Charlotte 7-5, 6-3 before Stephen and Maureen completed the win with a close match against Bruce and Susan 7-5, 7-6. This leaves Dalbeattie with 4 wins out of 4 and will now do battle with Dumfries A for the title. Dumfries A themselves kept their title challenge on track with a battling display against Dumfries B who produced arguably their best performance of the campaign. The match was close but the cool heads and the experience to win the big points proved the difference as the A team  held their nerve. Lister McKiddie and Diane Fung took the few chances that came their way as Michael Goldie and Fiona McCartney just couldn’t convert the big points as the A team took the first rubber 6-2, 6-3. On the second court it was more of a battle as Richard Cunningham and Sue Strachan edge out Jason Grindall and Louise Stewart in the championship tie-break to win the rubber 6-2, 2-6, 10-1. In the second round of rubbers it was deja vu as again the experience from Lister and Sue  told as they bt Michael and Lousie 7-5, 6-2 and likewise as Richard and Jason again fought out another championship tie-break as Richard and Diane completed the win against Jason and Fiona 6-3, 4-6, 10-4. This leaves Dalbeattie on 8 points and Dumfries A on 6 with a double header to be completed.

		Points	Played	Rubbers			Sets
1	Dalbeattie A	8	4	15	–	1	30	–	4
2	Dumfries A	6	4	12	–	4	26	–	12
3	Stewartry CSC	4	5	9	–	11	22	–	25
4	Dumfries B	0	5	0	–	20	3	–	40

In the B league it is becoming a 2 team race as Kirkcudbright A sit top against Kirkcudbright B. There was only the one fixture this week as Lochmaben were held at home by Dalbeattie B 2-2. This week sees what could be the last ever D&G league match on the Moffat Blaes as they entertain Lochmaben whilst league leader Kirkcudbright A travel to Dalbeattie B.

		Points	Played	Rubbers			Sets
1	Kirkcudbright	7	4	13	–	3	23	–	3
2	Kirkcudbright B	6	4	6	–	6	13	–	12
3	Lochmaben	2	3	5	–	7	2	–	6
4	Dalbeattie B	1	3	4	–	8	5	–	14
5	Beechgrove	0	2	0	–	4	0	–	8

All results and fixtures can be found using this link. D&G Mixed League Fixtures and Results

 

Affectionately know as the “last year on blaes” the 2017 South of Scotland Tennis Championship event was a great success with many great matches on the historic Moffat blaes, with one young lady creating history as she won 3 senior titles and 1 junior title to earn her place in the events history.  There were 18 events over the 7 days with players coming from all over Britain to stake their claim for each title.

Play started on a damp Sunday with the boys and girls 10s and 12s events with the 8s and under in the Sports Barn where the first winner of the event came from. We had 4 local players with 2 from Dumfries Tennis Club, Logan McCluskey and Cameron Hunter who were joined  by 2 from Beechgrove Tennis Club in Harry Brown and Oliver McKnight with Oliver Clark and Anna Phillips making up the six. After a round robin and the play-offs the final was Oliver Mc v Oliver C and despite playing really well and taking the lead Oliver Mc just couldn’t hold off Oliver C’s come back as he completed the win with an 11-9 score line. in the consolation event Cameron Hunter edge out Anna Phillips 10-8 to secure his medal.

Throughout the 7 days of play there was some great matches to watch with 35 locals involved in the weeks play with some local success at the end of the week. In the 45+ plus events Paul Boardman from Dalbeattie beat Barry Gibson-Smith 6-3, 6-1 to regain the trophy he had won last year and in the 45+ Doubles Dumfries duo Martin Wilson and Graeme Cross edge a close match against Paul and Stephen White from Dalbeattie 6-4, 5-7 & 10-7 to claim their first title in the South of Scotland Tennis Championship.

However, the 2017 championship will be remembered for 2 main reason, the first being that this should be the last ever time it is played on the Moffat blaes courts as these are due to be replaced with 6 new hard courts later this year and secondly, for the outstanding display from 14 years old Lucia Rizza who entered 4 events and walked away with all four titles. On the Wednesday Lucia won the 14s girls event and on super Saturday she claimed 3 senior events as she won the open ladies singles against Nicola Tweedy 7-6(5), 7-6(3), then added the open ladies doubles with partner Rosie Sterk to over come Nicola and Anna Kirk 7-6(3), 6-3 before completing the championships with another great display with her dad Frankie as they swept aside Michael and Fiona from Dumfries in the open mixed doubles 6-0, 6-1.

Another great championship with over 180 matches being completed throughout the week that covered the 18 events and again was supported by Magnox chapelcross site, D&G Council, SSE Clyde (D&G) Community Fund, Claudio’s restaurant Moffat and Beechgrove Tennis Club, without this help we would struggle to run this championship so thank you all. The full list of winners are;

8s Mixed – Oliver Clark bt Oliver McKnight, 10s Boys – Archie Agnew bt Callum Peat, 10s Boys Consolation – Daniel McKenna bt Flynn Dalgliesh, 10s Girls – Aimme Knowles bt Ellen Philips with Rose Brown and Kelley Scott finishing 3rd & 4th respectfully.

12s Boys – Liam O’Brien bt Sam Knowles, 12s Boys doubles – Liam O’Brien & Alexander English bt Sam Knowles & Leo Watt, 12s Girls – Amelia Pirt bt Hannah Glover, 14s boys – Robert Cowley bt Billy Blaydes & 14s Girls – Lucia Rizza bt Annemiek Sterk.

16s boys – Joshua Kean bt Billy Blaydes, 16s Boys Doubles – Joshua Kean & Charlie Miller bt Billy Blaydes & James Hale, 18s Boys – Charlie Miller bt Thomas Smart.

Men’s open – Charlie Miller bt Thomas Smart, Ladies open – Lucia Rizza bt Nicola Tweedy, Men’s open doubles – Robert Cowley & Thomas Smart bt Billy Blaydes & James Hale, Ladies open doubles – Lucia Rizza & Rosie Sterk bt Nicola Tweedy & Annan Kirk, Mixed doubles – Lucia & Frankie Rizza bt Fiona McCartney & Michael Goldie, 45+ singles – Paul Boardman bt Barry Gibson-Smith and finally the 45+ Doubles – Martin Wilson & Graeme Cross bt Paul Boardman & Stephen White.

South of Scotland Tennis Championship 2017 list of winners

Dumfries and Galloway Tennis are pleased to see so many young and experienced players taking part in this event which has a long tradition in the area and hopefully with the new courts it can go from strength to strength in years to come. Follow us on facebook @SoStennischampionship

 

 

Entries are now being taken for the 2017 Border Cups event which is hosted again this year by Dumfries Tennis Club. This years event has the gents singles and ladies doubles scheduled for Saturday 19th and the gents doubles and ladies singles on Sunday 20th.

Use the link below to enter.

Border Cups online entry 2017

Border cups poster 2017