Junior Round robin gets underway

Kyle

The junior Round Robin generously sponsored by James & Sharon Morrison of Rebecca’s Coffee Shop (The Buttermarket) got underway Enniskillen Tennis Club at the end of May with a total of 20 juniors taking part. This event provides many of our juniors with valuable match practice in singles competition and experiences like this may prove valuable for those hoping to gain a place in future performance squads. It also gives our younger juniors their first taste of competition and the most important aspect of course, is that they enjoy the experience.

In the top three sections of the competition, the matches are to be played according to Tennis Ireland matchplay rules with a championship tie break to be played in the deciding set. In section 1 Eve Callaghan sets the standard and can be expected to benefit from her wealth of matchplay experience. Ciaran Dillon and Kyle Deery are expected to make a good showing as are the versatile Marcus Davis and Tom Kettyles. Also in the group is the youngest competitor Aoibheann King who continues to display considerable potential and will undoubtedly benefit greatly from this experience. Her first encounter with Tom was a tight affair with Tom's additional experience proving decisive winning in two sets 6-3 7-5.

The highlight of the second group so far was the titanic battle between Conall McCaffrey and Joseph Scott. Conall just had the edge in the first set taking it 7-5 with Joseph coming back strongly in the second set winning it 6-2. With everything finely balanced, it was Conall who just came through with a gutsy performance 10-7 in the third set tiebreak. Joseph enjoyed a fine win in another close encounter with Owen Smyth 6-2 7-5.

James

The third group saw a clash between two Friday club night regulars Michael McDonald and Matthew Cairns. This match was evenly poised with Matthew taking the first set 6-4 with Michael staging a spirited fightback in the second set taking it 6-4. The third set was equally close with Matthew just holding on taking it 6-4. Charlie Smith, Andrew Hyde and Angel Huang are the other contenders in this section.

The fourth group consists of Kyle Abraham, James Patterson, Jaymee Russell and Patrick Williams. Three matches will be played by each participant and all matches are to be completed by the 16th June. Prizes will be awarded at a free event for junior members on Sunday 19th June at 2.30-5pm. This event will include fun games organised by Matthew and Louise McGann with a barbecue thrown in for good measure.