Craighelen Tennis Club’s men’s team fell to three defeats in the space of a week in a packed programme of league fixtures, despite competing well in many of the matches.

Against Newlands 6, Adam Juster and Gerry Black at first couple won 6-3, 6-7, 6-3, but Rob Colston and John Middleton lost 1-6, 6-3, 3-6.

Tam Morris and Russell Graves lost in straight sets but all were closely contested, with the final score 4-6, 5-7, 4-6 to give the Newlands team a 6-3 overall win.

Later in the week Craighelen were beaten 5-4 by Glasgow University Staff 2, though all three pairs played good tennis. Adan Juster and Chris Bowman won their first set without dropping a game and went on to win the second 6-2 and the third 6-4.

At second couple Rob Colston and Lewis Graham looked in total command when they won the first set 6-0, but their opponents, both of whom often played double-handed on both forehand and backhand, came into the match with a vengeance in sets two and three, being especially effective at the net.

Rob and Lewis tried hard to break their opponents’ rhythm but lost the final two sets 1-6, 2-6.

At third couple, Thomas Welsh and John Middleton had an entertaining match, with Thomas putting down some strong serves and John playing long baseline rallies. Their opponents were, however, more consistent and won all three sets 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.

The Craighelen men’s team ended their busy week of action with a short trip down the road to play the Cardross third team, and it was the hosts who won by six sets to three.

Adam Juster and Rob Colston won the first set 6-3 and lost the second by the same score, but hung on well to take a closely-fought last set by a 7-5 margin.

Tam Morris and John Middleton won the first set of their match 6-3, but lost the other two 6-7, 3-6, while Russell Graves and Arthur Connolly lost 3-6, 0-6, 1-6 to a very strong Cardross pair.

In a packed week of matches for the Craighelen Men’s team , they travelled the short distance to Cardross to play Cardross Third Team . Cardross won the encounter by 6 sets to 3. Adam Juster and Rob Colston won the first set 6-3, lost the second by the same score but hung on well to win a closely fought third set by 7 games to 5. Tam Morris and John Middleton won the first set 6-3, but lost the other two 6-7, 3-6. Russell Graves and Arthur Connolly lost to a stronger pair 3-6, 0-6 , 1-6