HELENSBURGH Tennis Club's men’s first team secured their place in the second division next season despite losing their last match at Strathgryffe last week.

The team, with many of its regular players missing for various reasons, managed to secure the vital sets thanks to a great win from Bobby Kerr and Mark Leonard at first couple.

Most of the teams in the division were of a similar standard and all the matches were very close. On the final week four teams found themselves in the relegation zone and the Helensburgh team travelling to Strathgryffe in leafy Houston knew they had to come back with at least one set to avoid relegation.

Bobby and Mark’s opening set went their opponent’s way as the boys got used to the fast courts but they soon got into their stride as they went into a 5–1 lead in the second set.

However the pair couldn’t close the set and soon found themselves at 5–5. A quick change of tactics got them the 11th game and home pair were serving to stay in the set.

Strathgryffe took an early lead and had game points at 40–30 before Mark hit a great smash deep in the backhand court. Seven deuces followed with both teams having points to win the game.

When the home team double faulted at the eighth deuce it gave Bobby his opportunity to take the set. He hit a deep return followed by a half volley that his opponent couldn’t retrieve and the set went to Helensburgh.

The final set was a much easier affair with Helensburgh taking it 6–2.

Meanwhile on court two Stephen Humphreys and Matt Mackie battled a very experienced pair and despite almost all the games going to deuce they lost 0–3.

The ladies fifth vets team travelled to Kirkhill for their last match of the season. Nicolette Ferguson and Pat Pryde were very unlucky not to come away with a set as they fought extremely hard just losing 5–7, 5–7, 3–6.

Phyllis Fullarton and Janette Green were also unlucky as they lost 6–7, 4-6, 1–6. The Helensburgh ladies found the blaes courts difficult to control their shots but came away pleased they had displayed such a good performance.

The club will be hosting drills and match practice sessions for adults and intermediate members starting on Thursday 27 October 7.00pm to 8.30pm. Head coach John Wilson will be putting the players through their paces with a series of intense doubles drills followed by match practise. The six week course costs £5 per person for adults and £3 for intermediates with the first session free to everyone.