VETERAN Helensburgh Tennis Club member Ralph Ward may be in his eighties – but his age didn’t stop him playing a crucial role in the opening match of the season for the club’s men’s fourth team.

Ralph and his playing partner at third couple, Clive Charters, were on top form as Helensburgh started their campaign with a fine win at home to Nuffield Milngavie.

Ralph and Clive won their match 6-0, 6-0, 6-1 – while Raymond Mathers and Adam McLean at first couple also had an excellent night, seeing off their opponents 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.

Second couple Rob Goward and Maurice McIntyre had a tougher time of it against a stubborn couple who were very consistent and made few mistakes, with the Milngavie pair winning the match in straight sets – but it wasn’t enough to stop Helensburgh winning by six sets to three overall.

And Helensburgh’s men’s third team enjoyed an even bigger margin of victory, starting their season with a fantastic 8-1 win at home to Milngavie.

At first couple Harry Gould and Iain MacLaren recovered from losing the first set to take the next two 6-2, 6-2 – while there were no such problems at second couple, where Keith Love and Graham Court won 7-5, 6-1, 6-2.

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Stars of the show though were Paul Clifford and Matt Mackie, at third couple, who took all three sets without the loss of any games in a brilliant show of consistent and tactical tennis.

The team’s second match was a trip to Lanark, where they recorded a 5-4 win to put them at the top of their division at this early stage in the season.

The men’s first team suffered a 1-8 defeat at the hands of a very strong Nuffield Milngavie team on Friday evening. The team play host to Giffnock this week as team captain Stephen Lewis looks to get the team back on winning form.

The ladies first team opened their season with an away match at Glasgow University Staff. At first couple Liz Wylie and Catherine Court lost their opening set 3-6 but a swift change of tactics soon bore fruit as they took the next two sets 6-3, 6-3.

Sue Macrae and Mandy Allan and second couple were overpowered at 2nd couple losing all three sets. It was a similar story at third couple as Jane Carroll and Sue McKichen also lost all three sets.

The ladies second team were at home to Thorn Park last week where first couple Vale Pace and Jackie Hunter lost in straight sets. Alison Fotheringham and Jane Carroll at second couple managed to salvage 2 sets 6-2, 6-1 in a great fight back after losing the opening set. Barbara Gillies and Soerian Young at 3rd couple could do little to stop their opponents running away with he match. Final score a 2-7 defeat.

The club will be celebrating the King’s coronation this Saturday in the clubhouse from 11am to 2pm. Members and guests are welcome to pop in, wearing red, white and blue if possible, and join in the celebration.