Helensburgh tennis club narrowly lost 4–5 away to Clarkston at the weekend in the Sunday afternoon winter league.

Keith Love and Mark Leonard took a while to get going and lost the opening set 2–6. The pair soon got their act together and took the next two sets 6–1, 6–4.

In the mixed doubles Stephen Lewis and Liz Wylie were in great form in their two opening sets winning them 6–2, 6–4.

By the third set a recurring injury made it tough for Liz and the pair lost the set. In the ladies doubles Alison Fotheringham and Janette Green were well beaten by a very experienced pair 0-3.

The matches are piling up due to the poor weather and there will be matches almost every weekend throughout February. Weather permitting the club will be hosting a Valentine’s tournament on Saturday, February 13.

The club will be making an announcement soon regarding a new initiative to provide indoor tennis coaching for children new to tennis.

The club has been successful in attracting funding for a 6 week indoor course at Hermitage Academy. Junior Convenor Bobby Kerr said: “We have been successful in our application to Awards for All to provide indoor coaching for children who haven’t played before or not played for a while. More details will be published in the next few weeks.”