The 2019 Championship recent took place at the Beechgrove Tennis Club in Moffat in great conditions for tennis and we would like to thank Beechgrove Tennis Club for allowing us access to the courts for the 7 days, SSE Clyde (D&G) Community funding for supporting the event again this year along with Tennis Scotland and their Open Tour.

We had a another good entry of 261 with ages from 6yrs through to our vets and as usual play started bright and early with the 10s events, 12s and 8s. The first winner of the 2019 event was Kieran McGuire from Prestwick who edge a good final against Dumfries’s Jack Wearing 10-6. Dominik Czopek from Dumfries came third in another tight match against Natalia Augustynska 10-7. Natalia came first out of the girls with Maisie Murray 2nd and Stella Hodgins 3rd. Adam Hunter from Dumfries won the consolation with a 10-8 win over Dalbeatties Sam Donnelly. With Jack Docherty from Carlisle playing some good tennis in the event also. Sunshine all the way with some excellent Red ball tennis.

Monday proved a busy day also as we concluded the 10s events, the 9s and the 12s doubles. Cumbria’s Jake Irving edge a marathon match against Hamish Wyper 8-6, 6-8 & 8-6 to claim the 9s boys event with Dumfries’s Ethan Leyman edging another marathon against his Dumfries hitting partner Cameron Hunter 4-7, 7-4, 7-4. In the girls event Hanna Augustynska beat Becky MacLeod 7-1, 7-2 to claim that title with Dumfries’s Autumn Hodgins winning the consolation round robin event. Other winners on the day were Elisa Gibson who won the 10s girls, Angus Jones won the 10s boys, Freya Blundell won the 12s girls with Archie Agnew and Annan’s Danny McKenna taking the 12s boys doubles 6-3, 7-5 against Louis Kirkpatrick and Rowan Speed.

In the 12s boys event Archie Agnew came from a set down to edge the final in the champ tie-break against Jonathan Morgan 1-6, 6-4, 10-5 with Dumfries’s Fergus Reynolds Lewis taking the consolation prize against hitting partner Flynn Dalgliesh. The 14s boys went to Liam O’Brien, 16s boys to Ross Young and 18s boys Gregor Stott. The 14s girls winner was Teodora Prisadnikova and the 18s girls winner was Annemiek Sterk. The 16s Boys doubles winners Robert Cowley and Matthew Nice.

In the senior events Philip Blythe beat Gregor Stott 6-4, 6-1, open doubles went to Philip and Matthew Grieve 4-6, 6-2, 10-4 against Joshua Kean and Jamie Martin. Local favourite Sergio Meola claimed a double by winning the Men’s 8.1 to 10.2 events and the men’s handicap singles. Ellen Sloss won the Women’s 8.1 to 10.2 singles with Castle Douglas duo Liz Baines and Susan Nugent winning the 40+ doubles. In the 45+ Men’s events, local coach Colin Dunbar made an impressive debut buy beating 3 times champions Paul Boardman 6-0, 6-2 in the singles final and with doubles partner claimed the that title against Brian Litster and Fraser Patterson 3-6, 7-6(4) 10-0. With Diane Fung claiming the 40+ ladies singles to complete a great championship in a perfect week of weather.

The 2019 Border Cups were completed on the weekend of the 17th & 18th August. The singles was on Saturday and conditions proved very tricky with high winds affecting play. A smaller field than usual saw only 6 brave the winds to try and land their name on the trophy. In the 2 quarter final matches there was a routine win for Richie Cunningham over Michael Goldie 6-1-6-0 and defending champion Dan McKiddie negotiated a win over Kyle Singh 6-4, 6-3 to set up a semi-final against Paul Boardman. Dan took the first set 6-2 before Paul got going taking the 2nd set into a tie-break which Dan held on to take 7-6 (7-4) and clinch a final spot. In the other semi a returning Colin Dunbar was looking to get his name back on the trophy he last won in 2015 and he and Richie battled through the wind. Richie managed the conditions best in the first set taking it 7-6 before Colin levelled the match by taking the 2nd set 6-3. The tie-break 3rd set ebbed and flowed before Richie came out on top to take it 10-7 and set up a final with Dan.

The final proved to be a cagey affair with just the narrowest of margins seperating the players as Dan regained his title with a 7-5, 6-3 win.

The doubles on Sunday was again played in windy conditions with the threat of rain hanging over the 4 pairs. In the first semi defending champions Colin Dunbar and Johnny Short just kept Dumfries duo of Kyle Singh and Richie Cunningham at bay to record a 6-3, 6-4 win. Last years beaten finalist Dan & Lister McKiddie had to work very hard to edge past experanced Dalbeattie pair of Paul Boardman and Stevie White 7-5, 7-5. Paul and Stevie secure the 3rd spot by beating Kyle and Richie 6-3, 7-5. The final was evenly contested as it reached a tie-break which Colin and Johnny controlled to take the first set 7-6 (2). The 2nd set totally changed as the heavens open up and the rain lashed down and with that it washed away Lister and Dan’s chances and Colin and Johnny went on to take the 2nd set 6-0 and secure their 7th Borders win.

Border Cups Results 2019

Entries are now being taken for the 2019 Border Cups event which is hosted again this year by Dumfries Tennis Club.

This years event see a slight change in the line-up with both singles events taking place on the Saturday and both doubles on the Sunday.

The dates are Saturday 17th August and Sunday 18th August.

Use the link below to enter.

Border Cups entry link

Sunday 11th August 2019 from 11am.

Chatsworth Tennis Club are hosting an afternoon of tennis in memory of Moira Kirkwood. All tennis players & friends from Dumfries & Galloway and Cumbria are welcome to enter or just come along for a chat.

The Kirkwood family have been long time supports and players in both regions and this is sure to be another great occasion to catch up with some old friends and meet some new one.

The event is a draw for partner mixed event with a £5 entry fee. To enter either contact the Chatsworth office on 01228 514 187 or email Lynne Kirkwood at lynneky@outlook.com