Dumfries Sports Club

The third round of the Aegon National Tennis League Games took place last Sunday when Dumfries took on Waverley (Edinburgh).

Waverley are a well respected Edinburgh team and one of the strong contenders for Division 3. Dumfries continued their good form by winning the match 4-2. Dan McKiddie at one continued his good form being unbeaten in all matches so far and won a tight match in the third set match tie break.

Ritchie Cunningham at two put on an impressive performance to win convincingly 6-2, 6-3. Next at 3, Graeme Cross in his first match stepped up to the mark with a fine performance winning 6-3, 6-3. The last singles rubber was lost by Kyle Singh 6-3, 7-6 in a close encounter.

In the doubles, the scratch pairing of Dan and Graeme with their excellent double skills combined well to win 6-4, 6-3. The final rubber was lost by Ritchie and Kyle 6-3, 7-6 to make the overall result an excellent 4-2 win for Dumfries.

That sets up the grand finale against Stirling University this Sunday with both teams having won all their matches. Dumfries will have to play their best to beat a strong Stirling team.

Dumfries Men’s Tennis Team are currently taking part in the Aegon National Club League. In the first match against Dunfermline the team won in a match shoot out 7 – 6.

Last Sunday, 29th September they took on Craigmiller Park, Edinburgh at Nunholm. Lister McKiddie who had to play at 1 due to the ratings system was well beaten by his opponent – 6 – 0, 6 – 2. At 2 , Dan McKiddie had a comfortable win 6 – 1, 6 -0. Ritchie Cunningham had a very good win against a useful opponent 6 – 2, 6 – 3. Kyle Singh produced another excellent performance, growing in confidence from his win last week, winning 10 – 7 in the third set match tie break.

That meant Dumfries were 3 -1 up after the singles. In doubles, Lister and Dan McKiddie combined to take on strong opponents on paper. However,the McKiddie’s doubles experience from having played together a lot made the difference and they had a solid win 6 – 2, 6 – 3.

In the other doubles, Richard and Kyle combined in what was to become a dead rubber, lost a close match 7-6, 7– 6.

That means that Dumfries have won its first two matches and now play Stirling University at home on Sunday in what could well be the title decider as Stirling have won both their matches so far comfortably.

2013 Border Cups

The tournament is open to Border and D&G players and this year saw a healthy turnout from both districts and the sun also made a welcome appearance.

On Saturday the Men’s singles took place with 8 D&G players and 3 from the Borders. After some brilliant matches Colin Dunbar took on Kevin Breen who won the event last year. After a one-sided first set which Colin took 6-0 Kevin stepped up and presented more of a challenge but after a few tight games which went Colin’s way, Colin then saw out the match 6-3 to claim back to back titles after winning the D&G Confined earlier this year.

The Sunday saw another good entry for the Gents Doubles with 7 players from the Borders travelling over and 13 D&G players making up the numbers.

After a couple of qualifying matches the quarter finals got under way. Lister and Dan McKiddie (D&G) just edged out Border pair of Adrian Moir and Simon Hammond 6-3, 7-5 in the all D&G clash. Stephen White and Paul Boardman recovered from a set down to just edge a championship tie-break against Dumfries pair Graeme Cross and Martin Wilson 5-7, 6-1, 13-11.

Returning duo of Fraser Patterson and Brain Lister who both played for Dalbeattie but now reside outwith D&G took on another Borders pair of Glen Gordon and Jonathan Adamson. The first set was tight with Brian and Fraser just edging it 6-3 but in the second the D&G Confined holders showed their class and took the second 6-0.

The last quarter final saw current Singles champion Colin Dunbar pair up with Borders favourite and previous winner and organiser of this event Johnny Short. They faced Annan pair Michael and Malcolm McEwen who despite their best efforts were no match for the experience pair who eventually ran out 6-0, 6-1 winners.

The semi final results saw Colin & Johnny win 6-2, 6-3 against Stephen & Paul and in a repeat of the D&G Confined final Brian and Fraser won a tight match 6-7, 7-6 and 10-8 in the championship tie-break against Dan & Lister.

In the final Colin and Johnny edged past Brian and Fraser 6-4, 6-2. In the consolation final an all Dumfries clash saw Martin Wilson and Graeme Cross just edge past Richard Cunningham and Kyle Singh 6-2, 3-6 and 10-8 in the tie-break.

The committee wish to thank Soltyre Ltd for the continued support of this event.