Watterson fails in bid

Colin Watterson knocked out the top seed John Amond on his way to the final of the Mens Singles in the Leinster Junior (A Grade) Championships but could not wrestle the title away from the grasp of David Tutty, who had himself knocked out the No2 seed Brian Dignam in the other semi-final.

Watterson from the Alpha club had earned his place in the final with wins over Fiachra Keogh 21-14 26-24 and Alan Colgan 21-13 21-15 before bringing Amond’s participation to an end 21-16 21-17 but Tutty took the opening set 21-13 and although Watterson had a few opportunities to level he wasn’t able to take them and the title went to Tutty.

There was further disappointment for Watterson as he partnered Ian Suffern in the doubles and they had been seeded to meet No2 seeds Roy Connor and Seamus Halpin but the latter were to go out to Matthew Duffy and Colm O’Brien in Round 2 and reached the final with wins over Chris and Gordon Chambers and William Gourley and Jonathan Ruddy.

Close

Suffern and Watterson failed to reach their seeded place in the final when they lost out to Diarmuid Cox and Michael Turkington in a very close match just over 40 minutes 21-19 in the deciding set and their only satisfaction can be that their victors went on to lift the title.

Armadillos lead Ulster League

Elsewhere, the Alpha Armadillos are top of the Ulster League after three matches, having recorded two 8-0 victories over 1st Donegore A and Ballyclare Tornadoes while Alpha Avengers fared little better when the two sides met with only Stephenson and Scott getting the better of McClures in the 2nd Ladies Doubles 21-13 21-14 for the Avengers.

Nevertheless the Avengers are in second place with a whitewash over 1st Donegore B and were 6-2 winners over Ballyclare Tornadoes.

In Division Two Alpha Cougars lie just one point off the three way tie at the top of the table with Ballyclare Hurricanes, Clogher A and Sandelford A after just two games with the Cougars drawing 4-4 with Ballyclare.

Alpha club times are as follows for the new season:

Minor Club Monday 7.30pm, Senior Club Tuesday 7.30pm, Tyros Club Wednesday 7.30pm, Intermediate Club Thursday 6.00 – 8.00pm.

Adult Coaching Thursday 8.00 – 9.00pm. This is free to members. £5 to non-member parents of Juvenile members, £10 to non-members. Juvenile Club news is in the Alpha section of Racquets Club website.