The date was the 22nd May 2013, that was the last time that Dumfries A lost a match in the D&G Men’s doubles league and back then it was against Stewartry CSC. Almost 5 years on and it happened again but this time it was Stewartry neighbours Dalbeattie who stopped the run. On an extremely difficult night for tennis where high winds and rain showers played there part, Dalbeattie Tennis Club and Beechgrove Tennis Club were the guests at Dumfries against Dumfries A and C. Dumfries A v Dalbeattie was a top of the table clash and in the other match Dumfries C v Beechgrove was a relegation battle. All four teams found the conditions extremely challenging and on paper Dumfries C were slight favourites against Beechgrove who have played all their matches away from Moffat this year as their courts are re-laid. Dumfries C took the first 2 rubbers as they managed the conditions better before Beechgrove found their rhythm. Dumfries took the first set in each of the 2nd round matches before Beechgrove secured the next set in each match, this took the result down to two match tie-breaks which in that wind could go anyway. However Dumfries C kept their nerve to secure both match tie-breaks and the match 4-0.
On the other 2 courts the first 2 matches were shared as both teams took a rubbers each with match tie-breaks. Dumfries A’s record was on the line and the match was going to the wire as Graeme Cross & Richie Cunningham took the first set 6-1 before Darren Cassidy and Paul Boardman levelled by taking the 2nd set 7-6 to take the rubber into the match tie-break. In the other match Oscar Alberigo and Stevie White took the first set 7-6 against Lister McKiddie and Chris Topping before completing the win by taking the second set 6-4. This brought the match down to the championship tie-break which went to the wire before Dalbeattie took it and the match 10-8 to secure a valuable win which takes them to the top of the league with one match remaining. Dalbeattie sit on 14 points after 9 matches with Dumfries A on 12 points after 7 matches. Dumfries A still remain favourites with their next match away to Stewartry CSC before a double header against bottom of the table Beechgrove.
Dumfries & Galloway Tennis 