Officers elected at Banbridge Tennis Club annual meeting

President - Herbie Barr, Chairman - Ivan Ewart, Secretary - Gladys Montgomery, Match Secretary - Pauline Ferguson, Treasurer - Alison McClune, Selection Committee - Alison McClune, Katherine Russell and Ivan Ewart. Ladies Captain – Jean Ewart, Gents Captain – Steven Smyth.

During the meeting the members voted for the player who had contributed most to the Club in the last season. The Billy Close Cup 2011 was presented by the outgoing Chair, Jane Boyce, to Peter Hillen.

Despite a thriving Juvenile Club with a dedicated Coach, Cyril McClune, the Senior Club is small but full of dedicated players who compete in many of the Belfast and District Leagues. Fixtures could include playing against teams from Coleraine or Ballycastle to teams from Newcastle or Newry and Warrenpoint and anywhere in between.

Saturday 4 February saw the start of the Winter League with one Ladies team entered from Banbridge. Four ladies play two doubles matches against their opponents but each team draws for their partners, which adds to the fun.

Last week Banbridge, playing in Division Three, played hosts to Hilden but in spite of some very competitive play Hilden went home with a 2-0 win.

The Banbridge Ladies Team comprised of Mary Morrow, Jane Boyce, Helen McAuley and Jean Campbell. This week the Ladies travelled to CIYMS to play their B Team where the weather conditions were more favourable than the week before. Unfortunately the Home team proved too strong and Banbridge players Jan Hall, Jane Boyce, Daphne Gray and Helen McAuley lost 2-0.

As one league was starting another was coming to a close. Banbridge entered two teams in the floodlit league which began with matches in November. This league is often affected by the weather and last week the Banbridge B team hosted Cavehill in pouring rain and cold winds.

This league consists of two men and two ladies playing two mixed doubles and one mens and one ladies doubles. The match is won when one team reaches 10 games.

Cavehill arrived in Banbridge unbeaten but the home side ended with a very respectable draw which could have been a win with the first mixed doubles pairing of Steven Smyth and Pauline Ferguson reaching nine games all.

However Cavehill’s first lady, Ruth Greenlees’ sliced backhand proved too devastating for the Banbridge players who lost 10-9.

The second mixed pairing of David Thompson and Katherine Russell had an excellent 10/6 win with the Banbridge men winning their match 10-6.

Once again Cavehill’s first lady dominated the ladies doubles and Banbridge lost 10-6. This brings the B team’s floodlit campaign to an end but the A team have still matches to play.

If anyone would like to have any information about the Tennis Club please contact either of the club captains: Jean Campbell 07927264340 or Steven Smyth 07969240990.