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TESCO West of Ulster Junior Tennis Tournament

The results,scores and winners are available online.

The 2010 West of Ulster Junior Tennis Championships sponsored by Tesco was regarded as the most competitive junior tennis event held at Enniskillen Tennis Club for many years. Participants from thirteen tennis clubs descended on Enniskillen from all over Northern Ireland and this included three clubs from the south of Ireland.

There was local interest in many of the events. The U18 Boys Singles final saw Enniskillen's Connor Donaldson taking on Ben McAllister from Larne. Although Connor took a little time to find his groove in the first set losing out 6-3, he came out strongly in the second set and established a clear lead. To Ben's credit, he rallied strongly to level the second set at 5 games all. Both players traded hard-hitting baseline shots from corner to corner, but Ben emerged the worthy winner eventually taking the second set 7-5. Although David Acum (Lurgan) lost narrowly in the semi-finals of this event, he gained ample compensation when taking the U16 Boys Singles.

Stephen Miller (Enniskillen) partnered Connor Donaldson in the U18 doubles final against Ben McAllister and Ross McCarey (Belfast Boat Club). Again no quarter was given, and try as the local boys did, this was one hurdle too far and Ben and Ross won in straight sets 6/4, 6/3. Nonetheless, Stephen and Connor will take many positives from the experience.

The U16 Girls Singles semi-final had much local interest with number 2 seed, Frances Taggart (Irvinestown) taking on Emily Donaldson (Enniskillen). In a match interspersed with many long rallies, it was Emily who came through 6/2 6/4 and reflects the improvement the Enniskillen girl has made to her game in recent months. However, playing Sophie Murray (Lurgan) in the final was a different proposition and the more experienced Sophie deservedly won in two straight sets. However, Emily should be well satisfied with her achievements in this competition.

Frances Taggart certainly gained some quick compensation when partnering Jane Maguire in the U18 Girls Doubles. The Irvinestown duo overcame both Alexandrea Carroll and Fiona Lee and Hannah Cooper and Emily Donaldson to clinch the top prize.

The U14 Junior Girls Singles saw the return of Rachel Doyle, a former member of Enniskillen Tennis Club but now a member of Windsor in Belfast. Rachel had just returned from a tennis tournament in Denmark and overcame number one seed Eva Lennox (ATT, Ballymena) in a very tight match 7-5, 7-6. In the U 16 Mixed Doubles final, Rachel teamed up with her brother Mark but they only just succumbed to Sophie Murray and Conor Caheny (Sligo) in another tight match which lasted over two hours 6/2 3/6 7/5.

The U13 Mixed Doubles was a thriller, with Enniskillen's Headon Hughes-Jordan and Hannah Cousins taking on fellow clubmates Ronan McKeever and Sarah Cousins. Although Hannah and Headon clinched the first set, a dramatic fightback by Sarah and Ronan to take the second set in a tie-break ensured the match would go the full distance. The third set was sprinkled with many long rallies, but Headon and Hannah emerged the stronger taking the final set 6-3. It was a very successful day for Hannah who also took the U12 Girls Singles beating sister Sarah. Although Sarah staged a remarkable comeback to take the second set in a dramatic tiebreak, Hannah took the third and final set in decisive fashion. Sarah gained ample compensation in the U12 Girls Doubles when partnering Claire Reihill she beat Hannah and Laura Griffin.

The U12 Boys Singles final was very competitive and produced fine performances from both players, Matthew Robinson (ATT, Ballymena) and Zac Wilson (Portadown). On this occasion, victory went to Matthew, but both boys look to have a fine future in tennis ahead of them.

Novice events also formed part of the weeks competition. These events were restricted to juniors with limited experience in junior competitions. The winner of the novice boys singles was Sean (King of the Tiebreakers) Dillon having won each of the final three rounds in a final set tie-breaker. Ruairi McConville and Sean Dillon notched up some fine wins in the novice doubles and edged Morgan Bruce and David Casey out of the top spot. Danielle McKinney and Emma Neill Smith (ATT, Ballymena) took the novice girls doubles in fine style and Emma completed a fine double when winning the novice singles as well.

The U14 Boys Singles was the final match to be staged on finals day and it was truly an epic encounter between two outstanding juniors Adam Stephenson (Ward Park, Bangor) and Josh Crawford (ATT, Ballymena). A hugely entertaining match of fluctuating fortunes, this encounter had everything - and was played in the finest spirit, a tribute to both players. Although the records show that Adam came through 6/4 in the final set, this was a match that had no losers and it was appropriate that this was the match to bring the curtain down on a week of high quality tennis. Josh had earlier been involved in a titanic battle in the U14 Boys Doubles when partnering Paul Bannigan (Butt Hall, Donegal) against Angus Johnston and Matthew Robinson. In one of the finest matches seen during the week Josh and Paul came out on top 7/6, 4/6, 7/5. Again the standard of play was hugely impressive with all three sets peppered with long hard testing rallies.

The presentations were made by Zelda Forbes and Myrtle Woodhouse , representatives of the sponsors - Tesco. Tribute was paid to Tesco by tournament referee, John Griffin for their valuable support, which was instrumental in attracting juniors from so far afield. He stated that the tournament this year had been significantly enriched by the participation of so many juniors from clubs across Northern Ireland and beyond. Indeed, many participants had decided to stay in Fermanagh throughout the week long tournament. Recognition was also given to co-organisers, Evelyn Cousins and club coach Matthew McGann for their sterling work in the weeks leading up to the event and during the week itself as well as a host of volunteers who were involved in the catering.