Defeats for Banbridge Tennis Club sides

BANBRIDGE’S tennis teams were busy last week in the Belfast and District League but, unfortunately, they were beaten in all matches.

The A team were missing their No 1 gent, Matthew Gray, in their outing to the Belfast Boat Club but Stephen Smith moved into his position and played very well to win his men’s doubles match with Matthew McClune.

The latter and his partner, Pauline Crothers, had a very close three-set match winning the tie break 8-6. Belfast’s first ladies proved too strong for the opposition so Banbridge returned home with a 5-3 defeat.

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The Ladies Evergreen team were away to Downshire Hillsborough and according to the team captain, Helen McAuley were gracious in defeat. The other team members included sister act Daphne Gray and Barbara McCrea and ladies captain Jean Campbell.

Banbridge B team played host to Whitehead who are known for their steady play. There were two good wins for Banbridge with Mary Morrow and Greg Radcliffe beating their opponents 6-4, 6-3 and Greg continued his winning streak with partner Ivan Ewart in the second men’s doubles.

The first mixed pairing of Charlie Campos and Catherine Russell narrowly missed out in a very exciting three-set match, eventually losing 10-8 in the tie break. Likewise Banbridge’s first men’s doubles also had a fighting chance when Charlie, playing with John Cowan, took their match to a third set only to lose 10-6.

So the B team had their chances but unfortunately in their next match away to Lurgan this week the opposition proved very strong and they lost 7-1 with the second men’s pairing of Greg Radcliffe and Ivan Ewart winning to spare the blushes of the visiting team.

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Meanwhile the April tennis tournament was held in Banbridge Tennis Club followed by a very enjoyable pizza supper. The event was played in lovely conditions and the winners were Pauline Crothers and Ivan Ewart.

If the senior teams did not fare so well in recent weeks the same cannot be said for the juvenile teams playing their first matches in the Juvenile League.

Nine teams played competitive matches this week in the Belfast and District Leagues representing Banbridge at under 14 and under 18 level, both boys and girls.

Five teams won, with special mention going to the under 14 Girls team who were playing their first match ever. The team consisted of Jayne Scott, Brittany Sayers, Sarah McNeilly and Orla Thompson. At the end of the matches they recorded a 6-0 victory. Another success came from the under 18 boys C team who travelled to Larne and came home with a 6-0 win.

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