Elgin Tennis Club on course for mixed Highland title
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In the Highlands tennis league, Elgin lead the way in Mixed Division 1, and at this stage in the season, look set to retain the title.
The team is undefeated after four matches and have opened up a four-point gap. The latest victory has effectively ended the challenge from the Aviemore team.
Also in Division 1 Rothes succumbed to their Inverness visitors. A little but of luck could have earned the Speysiders a share of the points. But, despite the valiant efforts of Michelle Fraser and Bradley Scott, it wasn’t to be. Both of their rubbers went to three sets with scores of 5-7, 7-6, 10-8, and 7-5, 5-7, 8-10 recorded.
Elgin’s second string and Forres share the top spot in Division 2. Both are on ten points and their sets percentage (66.7) are the same. The teams meet on Monday evening.
Elgin B travelled to Inverness, returning with all three points having won with an emphatic 8-1 scoreline. Veteran Dave McPherson teamed up with 14-year-old Millie Ralph to win both rubbers, losing only four games in the process. They were ably backed up be Teresa Tait and Ewen Fraser, who, had a dodgy start, losing the first set of the 1v2 contest. They got their act together to level, and then took the match tie-break 10-4.
Meanwhile, Forres matched that 8-1 scoreline when they made the short trip to play Nairn B. However the margin of the victory flattered the visitors.
The homesters number one pair proved to be quite a handful. In the 1v1 rubber two set tie-breaks were required before the Forresian pair, Sophie Howard and Gavin Ross, got the better of their opponents.
Lloyd Eastwood and Pauline Brown also had trouble in dealing with the home top pair. It certainly did not look as though there would be any problem as Brown and Eastwood romped to take the first set 6-1.
The pair, however, had lapses of concentration as their opponents rallied to level the score. The visitors took control of the first to ten breaker, taking the first four points, a lead which they were never going to relinquish.
In the women’s league, the Elgin first team is in pole position in the First Division. Kingussie made the long journey north only to be whitewashed by the high-flying Moravians.
Elgin B travelled to the Aviemore area to play on the Rothiemurchus courts and shocked their hosts by inflicting a 5-1 win. The team remains bottom of the table, but this display suggests they will not be there for much longer.
In Division 2 Rothes were also on their travels and, like Elgin B, headed for Rothiemurchus. The Rothesians won by a 6-2 scoreline. Laura Allan and Jane Sim lost 6-1, 7-5; won 6-2, 6-4. Maureen Turner and Calleigh McConnell won 6-1, 6-1; won 6-1, 6-3.
Both Forres teams are in Division 3 and are in there fighting for promotion. The ‘A’ team would have stayed in top place had they defeated Bellfield Park B. It was not to be. The Inverness based side proved too strong in winning by six sets to two.
The Forres second string moved level on points with their clubmates following a 5-4 home win over Tain. Paula Phillips and Sharon Carmichael lost 5-7, 7-6, 5-10; won 6-1, 6-0. Annerle Douglas and Sophie Howard lost 4-6, 3-6; won 7-6, 6-0.
Division 4 leaders, Aberlour, were at home to bottom dogs Rothes B in what was the first Speyside derby for some years. Marjory Stronach and Anne Edward beat Martina Munro and Jenny Shepherd 6-0, 6-1; beat Katie McConnachie and Taylor Smith 6-0, 6-1. Kerry Stewart and Anne Findlay lost 4-6, 6-1, 7-10.
Other results, Men’s Division 1: Rothes 2 Elgin B 6 Bradley Scott & Jack McConnachie lost to Derek Grant & John Walker 2-6, 4-6; beat Darren Main & Ewen Fraser 6-4, 6-3. Mark Hearns & Sam Anderson lost 3-6, 0-6; lost 1-6, 2-6.
Division 2: Tain 8 Forres A 1 Gavin Ross & Lloyd Eastwood lost 6-1, 4-6, 8-10, lost 4-6, 3-6. Andy Williams & James Hutton lost 4-6, 3-6; lost 3-6, 1-6
Division 3: Rothes C 0 Rothes B 8 Gary Logan & Adam Thomas lost to Martin Johnston & Neal Anderson 2-6, 1-6; lost to Matthew Malcolm & Jack McConnachie 1-6, 1-6. Phil Foley & Shane Fox lost 0-6, 0-6; 1-6, 1-6.
Forres B 3 Grantown B 6 Owen Davidson Knight & Jason Travis lost 6-1, 6-7, 8-10; won 6=0, 6-0. Adam Rhind & Hamish Davidson lost 1-6, 5-7; lost 2-6, 3-6.
14 and Under: Grantown 9 Rothes 4
Calleigh McConnell lost 6-7, 0-6; Charlie Duckers lost 1-6, 0-6; Ruairidh Scott lost 2-6, 2-6; Harris King won 6-2, 7-5. Calleigh & Charlie lost 1-6, 3-6; Ruairidh & Harris won 5-7, 6-4, 12-10.
8 and Under: Rothes B 3 Lossiemouth 6
Maisie Stuart beat Elliot Cardwell 10-8; lost to Eddie Whitley 5-10; beat Ayden Tripp 10-6. Clara Muir lost 6-10; lost 6-10; won 10-7. Lochlan Cowie lost 5-10; lost 2-10; lost 8-10
