The members of Helensburgh Tennis Club gathered for their traditional opening day doubles tournament at the weekend.

At the sun soaked courts there were some close matches in the early rounds but the final saw Katie Hope and Clive Charters face Iain MacLaren and Paul Clifford. Katie and Clive took the first game but Iain and Paul soon got their act together and changed their tactics and took the next t three games. As each player held their serve it was Iain and Paul who finally broke the deadlock to seal the match and win the first tournament of the season.

The men’s over 55’s team hosted Titwood in the 2nd round of the Spring Knockout Cup. Colin Buchanan and Mark Leonard won their opening set 6 – 4 but narrowly lost the 2nd 5 – 7. In the deciding champions tie break the visitors took it 8 – 10. Keith Love and Iain MacLaren had a nail biting opening set which went all the way to the tie break which the Helensburgh pair finally won. The 2nd set was a much easier affair as they took it 6 – 3. With the score 3 – 1 in sets the Helensburgh team go into the 3rd round.

With the spring break just around the corner the club has some activities for junior members over the holidays. The club’s holiday programme has had to be redone due to Head Coach John Wilson sustaining a back injury following an accident when moving a wardrobe. John spent a few days in hospital but is now on the mend and everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery. Member should email CBF Tennis at info@cbftennis.co.uk for details of the amended programme.

Club Junior Convenor Bobby Kerr will be hosting junior match practise sessions from 11.00am to 1.00pm every Saturday after the spring break holidays and full details of the spring coaching programme will be issued shortly.

Photo of opening day tournament finalists

Left to right – runners up Katie Hope & Clive Charters, winners Paul Clifford and Iain MacLaren