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Belleek Living Closed reaches new heights

The results,scores and winners are available online.

The members and friends of Enniskillen Lawn Tennis Club were treated to superb tennis and sumptuous food (well burgers and salad actually) as the Belleek Living Closed Championships reached their climax at Hollyhill Road on Saturday evening. The record entry of 84 brought new and more established members together in glorious sunshine to provide some new names for the roll of honour.

The A Mens Singles is always a fascinating competition with talent like Christian Davies, Chris Cieplucha, Innes Redmond, John Slowey and Connor Donaldson in the line up. But it was to be Connor’s big brother Adam who emerged from the qualifying rounds to square up to club coach Matthew Mc Gann in the final. The large gathering of spectators was treated to some scintillating tennis from both players as Ulster’s No 1 U-18 player showed little sentiment towards his coach and mentor in an awesome display of power and technique. This one finished in favour of the student.

Adam Donaldson added another victory to his singles accomplishment with partner Davey P Thompson. The duo were two strong for Matthew Mc Gann and Scott Gilbride in two sets in the A Mens Doubles.

Ladies singles tennis is Susannah Hughes-Jordan’s domain and she continues to rule with authority. Despite the courageous efforts of Bernie Hall herself an accomplished player, Susannah proved too strong cruising to victory in two short sets in the A Ladies final.

The A Ladies Doubles had a strong entry. Sonja Hateboer and Heather Guy made their way to the decider having defeated favourites Jenny Humphreys and Liz Murphy on the way. Meanwhile Bernie Hall and Louise Mc Gann disposed of partners Brenda Davies and Josie Gillen in two sets. Bernie and Louise ran out winners in a very close contest.

Hateboer featured again in the A Mixed Doubles final this time with John Slowey who showed no signs of being ring-rusty over the six days of tennis. Matthew Mc Gann in his third final of the tournament teamed up with Heather Boles in an excellent match. It finished 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 in favour of John and Sonja but really could have gone either way.

The C Mens Singles had the predictable large entry with the final contested by last year’s winner Steven Miller and an in-form Garth Armstrong who had slayed the giant Hugh Maguire on the way to the final. Miller’s class and technique proved too much for the strength of Armstrong however and he cruised to victory 6-2, 6-3.

The club has enjoyed a recent surge in new members and in Jenny Bersot have discovered a raw talent. Jenny powered her way to the C Ladies Singles final defeating seasoned campaigner Maxine Leary in the semis. Her opponent in the decider Ruth Armstrong wasn’t letting her have it all her own way but Jenny was simply too good and emerged the victor in two sets.

The C Mens Doubles saw Steven Miller pick up his second piece of crystal with partner Allen Reynolds playing his best tennis in some time. They defeated Steven’s dad Keith and a man who is never far from the prizes, Cyril Boyd. C Ladies Doubles partners Mary Griffin and Kathleen Murphy were determined to keep Bersot from overloading her prize cabinet when they delivered an overwhelming 7-6, 6-0 result on Jenny and another promising newcomer Yvonne Masterson.

But Jenny Bersot is resilient if nothing else and she appeared in yet another final with partner John Quinn. The opponents in the First-timers Mixed Doubles were Gwen Wilson and Clive Funston. Gwen and Clive gave a great account of themselves and could have pulled off a shock only to lose over three sets in a good match.

The C Mixed final saw hot favourites Cormac Jordan and Enid Redmond do the needful in two sets against the valiant Stephen Kettyles and Bennie Sheridan who had shown a rich vein of form in the qualifying rounds.

Consolation Competition Winners included: A Mens Singles – Dominic Burns; A Mens Doubles – Oliver Campbell & Chris Cieplucha; C Mens Singles - Denis Green; C Mens Doubles - Ken Nethery & John Reihill; C Ladies Doubles – Ruth Elliott & Ruth Armstrong; C Mixed – Mary Griffin & Allen Reynolds.

The members of ELTC extended a big “thank you” to Martin Sharkey for his generous support.