Tennis club get June tournament played without interruption

THE June in-house tennis tournament was held last Monday in Banbridge Tennis Club.

With a good turn out the club managed to complete games without any rain followed by a picnic prepared by our Lady Captain Jean Campbell which was enjoyed by all.

Cyril McClune was the gents winner, with his son Matthew in the runners–up position, while Mary Morrow took the ladies prize with Pauline Crothers in second place.

The A team completed their fixtures after a long drive to Coleraine, only to come away with two matches won so they are all looking forward to performing better in the Summer League which starts at the beginning of July. With thre teams in the Belfast and District League playing in Divisions Three, Seven and Nine they hope for better weather and improved performances.

After a successful 2011 season for Banbridge Junior Tennis Club it was going to be a tough act to follow - but follow they did. Turning out nine teams, consisting of 36 competitive players every week of the season, Banbridge improved with every game.

A young and relatively inexperienced U14 Boys side, consisting of Scott Armstrong, Angus Corbett, Aaron McConnell and Josh Peacock recovered well from a heavy first match defeat and finished the rest of the season undefeated, finishing a very close third in their division, with Scott Armstrong unbeaten all season.

The U18 boys had mixed results, with the A team finding life tough in one of the highest Divisions. Better progress, however, was made by the B side. Whilst Alex Doogan and William Clackett encountered strong opposition the side were buoyed by admirable performances from David McClimmonds and Craig Campbell, who helped an undefeated side grab the runners-up spot.

Chris Sayers, the U16 boys regional finalist, spearheaded a young, yet powerful C team to their division title. Accompanied by the talented trio of Nathan Gray, Robbie Scott and Andrew Jackson, they too finished the season undefeated.

Whilst the U18 D team had their ups and downs, the E team bounced back from a first match drubbing to win their remaining fixtures. Aaron McConville, Declan Loy, Matthew McCarter and Charlie McClean showed great composure to secure runners-up place in their division.

Not to be left in the shade by the boys’ highlights, the U14 girls proved to be a runway phenomenon. League debutants of Jayne Scott, Brittany Sayers, Sarah McNeilly and Becky Huey swept aside everyone they encountered and won their division undefeated. Yet again the U18 girls excelled, with Eimear Downey, Helen Sayers, Rachael Jardine and Jessica Walker finishing second in their division.

What has turned out to be another successful season has to be put down to the hard work of coach, Cyril McClune and his loyal group of juvenile players, along with the support of team managers Mary Morrow, Brian Jardine, Anne Scott, David Armstrong, Liz McClean, Jean Campbell, Helen MacAuley, Yvonne Walker and Jenny Sayers, plus the ongoing parental help.

An extended thank you goes out to Raymond Pollock, Banbridge Academy principal and staff Tim Baxter and Heather Lawther, who have been instrumental in providing Banbridge Academy’s tennis facilities to Banbridge Tennis Club and without whom much of this success story would not have been possible.

As a result of their endeavours, the Junior Club has now five teams representing the club in the Challenge Trophy Tournaments. Congratulations to all Banbridge Junior Tennis Club players.

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