Men's Teams:
Ladies Teams:
The Tennis Comittee has agreed the following, regarding provision of tennis balls for general club play: tennis balls will be provided for all matches, competitions, tournaments, club nights, club mornings and club afternoons. These tennis balls will be available at Club Reception. At other times members are requested please to provde their own tennis balls. Used match tennis balls will be available for purchase at Reception at £1-50 per can of three. Team Captains are asked, please, to gather in the match tennis balls after each home match, and return to Eileen or leave at Reception. In addition there are second grade tennis balls for sale at 50p a bag. For service practice, a bucket of tennis balls is always available, at the side of Shaun's desk. The Tennis Committee thanks you for your co-operation.
But while on this subject, please ensure that the very sharp ring-pull tops from tins of new tennis balls are disposed of safely, and NOT pushed down inside the tin.
Latest NewsCraighelen's ladies' 1st team were in action this week against Woodend. It was a very close match but unfortunately Craighelen just lost out by four sets to five. Florrie Black and Louise Sargent at first couple lost three sets, although the second and third sets were very close. Sue Black and Lesley Reeve at second couple won the first set easily by six games to nil, but were unfortunate to lose the final two sets on a tie-break and then by 7-5. Susan Bell and Eileen Drummond won all three sets, 6-4 6-1 6-2.
The men's 1st team played twice this week, firstly in a league match against Newlands and secondly in the semi-final of the Calcutta Cup against Clarkston. In the league match, which they won 8-1, the team consisted of Shaun MacDonald and Stephen Rogers, Alex Alderson and Alan Campbell, PJ Dean and Dave Brooks. The Craighelen team is still unbeaten and lying at the top of Division 2B.
The semi-final of the Calcutta Cup was played away at Clarkston and Craighelen were victorious by four points to one against their first division opposition. This time team-members were Shaun MacDonald, Alan Campbell, Alex Alderson and PJ Dean. The "absolutely delighted" Craighelen team will now play in the Cup Final against Whitecraigs, away, on 19 June.
Craighelen Under 18 girls had a great victory over Bearsden in an away match in Division 1 of the Summer Leagues. Under a blistering hot sun the four girls pulled out their best tennis – Florrie Black played at No 1 seed and had a comfortable singles win of 6-3, 6-2. Jemma Bolton had a long match and played well, losing the frist set 5-7, then lost the second set 3-6. April Robertson played at 3rd seed and had to be consistent to wear her opponent down, leading to a 6-3, 6-4 win. Sarah Colman had a long first set, winning it 7-5, then got the measure of her opponent and won the second set 6-2. The girls also played some great points, with quick interceptions at the net and cunning drop shots to win both doubles matches; 6-1, 6-3 for Florrie and Jemma, and 6-4, 6-2 for April and Sarah, giving the team an overall win of 10-2.
Previously...It was another very busy week at Craighelen with the highlight being the Ladies' First Team versus Western Firsts in the second round of the Scottish Cup on Wednesday 12 May. High quality tennis was on display and both teams played exceptionally well but the opposition proved too strong and won overall in both the doubles and the singles sections. The couples from Craighelen were Florrie Black and Louise Sargent, Susan Bell and Sue Black, Lesley Reeve and Ashley Bolton. The Craighelen First Team also played the Western Club in the league during the week, this time against their third team. Lesley Reeve and Katy Rogers played well but lost by 3 sets to 0 against a powerful couple. Susan Bell and Sue Black were narrowly beaten in each set but lost by 3 sets to 0. Eileen Drummond and Sarah Sargent, after a shaky start, went on to win a set, but overall it was a comprehensive win by the Glasgow side. The only other Ladies' match was Craighelen 2 versus Bearsden 3 and the former won this by 6 sets to 3. The team consisted of Lesley McGowan and Fiona McPherson, Louise Robertson and Fiona Thomson, Sandra Juster and Lesley Robertson.
As far as the men were concerned, there was a mixture of results, the most successful of which was Craighelen First Team versus Dowanhill, which the Helensburgh side won by 8 sets to 1. Stephen Rogers and Shaun McDonald won by 3 sets to 0, as did Alan Campbell and Alex Alderson. Peter Dean and Douglas Coton won by 2 sets to 1. The men have won all their matches to date. Craighelen 3rd team beat Kirktonhill by 5 sets to 4 in a tense but well-fought match. First pair Willie Robertson and Gerry Black lost by 2 sets to 1 against a very good Kirktonhill pair. Rob Colston and Ross Birss won by 2 sets to 1, as did Chris Ungruh and Sandy Allan. Finally,within the men's section, Craighelen 5 were beaten by Woodend by 5 sets to 4. The team was Chris Bowman and Martin Gibb, Lewis Graham and Mark Smith, Tam Morris and Kevin Reeve. Finally, in the Boys' Under 18 section, Chris Ungruh and Ross Birss won comprehensively against Woodend by 6-4 and 6-3. Chris narrowly lost his singles' match by 6 sets to 4 and 7 sets to 5. Ross won his match 6-2, 6-2. Thomas Owen and Jonathan Begg won their doubles match 6-3, 6-3. Thomas lost his singles' match but Jonathan won his 6-7, 7-6, 10-6.
Recent matches saw more successes amongst the Craighelen men's and ladies' senior teams. The men's 1st team beat Milngavie II convincingly by 9 sets to nil and now sit at the top of their division. The team comprised Stephen Rogers and Shaun McDonald, Alan Campbell and Alex Alderson, PJ Dean and Dylan Black.
Correction!The men's 3rd team lost by 5 sets to 4 against Glasgow University Staff 2nd team, and not the whitewash reported here earlier!
Five league matches were played by the ladies' teams and of these, three were won. The 2nd team beat Hillhead FPs by 7 sets to nil, the 3rd team beat Cambuslang by 5 sets to 4, and the 4th team beat Bearsden by 5 sets to 4. Unfortunately, the 1st team were beaten narrowly by 5 sets to 4 against Milngavie, and the 5th team also lost against Bishopton.
A Scottish Cup match took place on 28 April and the Craighelen team of the Sargent sisters, Louise and Sarah, mother and daughter Sue and Florrie Black, Lesley Reeve and Susan Bell beat their Milngavie opposition emphatically by 6 sets to nil.
Club Social PlayWednesdays and Thursdays from 10am and Sunday afternoons from 1.30pm.
Club NightsThere are no home matches on Thursday nights as these are dedicated to Club play, so do come along from 7pm and join in the sociable tennis played on these evenings.
Coffee MorningsCan you think of a better way to start the day than a lovely hot steaming cup of tea or coffee and the best home baking in Helensburgh? No, neither can I, so why don’t you join us at the club every Saturday morning from 11am onwards for the Craighelen coffee morning. For only £1.50 you can go to cake heaven! You can even buy some of the delicious goodies to take home with you.
Look forward to seeing you there!