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