Round 8 Review
Week 8 of the Enniskillen Tennis Spring League saw the bottom placed teams in both Monday and Wednesday groups finally get their act together with two big wins but is it likely to be too little too late?.
Monday Night
The first win came from Andy’s Aces with a 54-42 win over second placed Maxine’s Magicians. All the damage was done in the top two grades with key 18 game contributions from Matthew McGann and Sonja Hateboer. Having won their mixed doubles match comfortably by 9-3 they each went on to repeat that scoreline in their doubles with partners Martin Hamblin and Lisa Greaves respectively. It would. have been even better for the Aces but for a magic turn from Alex Knowles who won both his matches for the Magicians in a 17 game return, firstly 8-4 with Bennie Sheridan in the mixed and then 9-3 with Reggie Ferguson in the doubles.
Monday’s second match was a much closer affair. Table toppers Louise’s Slammers were in early trouble down 4-1 in the top two mixed matches but put in strong comebacks to win both ties 7-5 and lead by 4 games at the halfway stage. An impressive 8-4 victory for Daire Dillon and sub Dominick Burns brought the Backhanders up to level terms and it looked like an unlikely win for the Backhanders as Matt Dillon and sub Mark Cousins were leading 5-1 and playing superbly against Slammer’s Kevin Burns and Cyril Boyd.. However, even with the odd air shot, Kevin and Cyril were able to drag themselves back to a 6-6 draw in the game leaving the overall match tied at 48 games apiece.
Wednesday Night
The Kissin’ Cousins enjoyed only their second win of the league as they secured a 58-38 win over Redmond’s Rockets to climb off the bottom of the league. Despite Leonie Madigan hitting the lines and her partner Clive Funston smashing with tremendous power they were up against an unpassable John Griffin who brilliantly backed up by Janet Love came out on top for the Rockets in a superb 8-4 win. John’s top form also continued in his men’s doubles as the combination of Johns volleying skills and Marius Blake’s phenomenal backhand delivered a 7-5 win. However this was as good as it got for the Rockets as Niall McGandy with a stunning 19 game contribution and Josie Gillen, Queen of the mid court volley, with an equally important 17 game haul led the Kissin’ Cousins to the win. Niall’s currently playing at the top of his form and his competitive side was on show through the nights play.
The week’s last match confirmed Meeke’s Marvels table topping position in the Wednesday league as they beat their nearest rivals, Lizzie’s Lobbers in a convincing 55-41 win. With all the Marvel’s contributing, the Lobbers only win of the night came from the powerful serving Ann Mooney with partner Priscilla Fawcett sweeping at the net. The biggest Marvel win came in the men’s doubles top match as Jerome Nicolle and Dominick Burns combined superbly to win out 9-3. Dominick also recoded an 8-4 win in the mixed with Enid Redmond to record a personal 17 game tally. Next week’s final round of league matches will ultimately decide the semi-final spots with Monday niht in particular still too close to call.
