Round six of the Autumn league sponsored by Pat’s Bar & Grill took place at Enniskillen Tennis Club last week with The Backbar Baseliners taking on the Night Owls. Ollie McShea (Baseliners) fresh from his exploits in the Dublin marathon proved he still retained plenty of zip with a stylish display in the mixed doubles. Partnering Liz Murphy, he covered all of court one and most of court 2 in retrieving some wide angled shots from Davy Thompson and Leonie Madigan. In a close match, Ollie and Liz came through 7-5. Cormac Jordan and Corrie Cadden (Owls) are proving to be one of the strongest combinations in the league and once again they remained undefeated in both their matches. But it was the pairing of Claude Bersot and Gwen Wilson that gave the Baseliners an eight point lead at the halfway stage. In the second leg, the Owls cut the deficit with a good victory by Corrie and Roisin O’Connell over Kathleen Murphy and Gwen Wilson. But it was too little too late, for the Baseliners hung on to a deserved win 51-45.
The second series of matches was between Midtown Magic and the Carvery Cuts. Vanessa McBrien and Jennifer Kelly (Magicians) had a ding-dong battle against Linda Corrigan and Michelle Kennedy. In a lively and entertaining match, it was Linda and Michelle who came through 7-5. Seamus O’Connell made his presence felt with two good wins for the Carvery Cuts on the night. Partnering Catherine Sloane to a 7-5 win, he more valuable points for his team when partnering Mark Cousins to an 8-4 win over Reggie Ferguson and Euan Gebler. This proved good enough for the Carvery Cuts to win the overall match 51-45.
Wednesday’s matches took place between the Diamond Aces and the Earlybird Baps. Niall McGandy and substitute Mark Cousins (Earlybirds) got to a flyer quickly establishing a 4-1 lead. However the solid and determined play of Kevin Burns and Rod McCreesh hauled them back into contention earning them a 6-6 draw.Mark enjoyed better fortune in the mixed doubles when partnering Joanne Knowles earned a good win over Rod and Hazel Dineen. The key match in this clash was the win of Maxine Leary and Bernie Hall for the Diamonds. With Bernie now firmly back in the groove again and putting away volleys at the net with ease, she is proving to be one of the main driving forces behind her team’s fine recent run of performances.
The final match on Wednesday evening was between the Galaxy Hotshots and the Townhall Towers. Three decisive wins for the Hotshots put them well ahead at the half way point, with only JR Dundas and Janet Love providing stubborn resistance for the Townhall Towers. In the second leg, Dominic Burns and JR Dundas and Heather Williams and Roisin O’Connell ensured the match went down to the wire and the Galaxy Hotshots only just clung on for a 49-47 win. This win puts the Townhall Towers only point in front of the Diamond Aces and three points in front of the Galaxy Hotshots after six rounds.
