ALAN BARBOUR won no fewer than three titles at Craighelen’s annual senior club championship tennis finals on Saturday.

Fifteen finals were contested in the course of the day after three weeks of close competition, with Alan triumphing in the men’s singles, men’s doubles and men’s veteran singles finals.

In a closely-contested men’s singles final, Alan edged out defending champion Adam Juster by two sets to one, winning the first story 6-4 before Adam’s attacking play won him the second set 6-2.

Alan’s consistent tennis and willingness to chase down every ball saw him open up a 4-1 lead in the deciding set, and though Adam hit back to reduce the gap to 4-3, Alan held his nerve to close out a 6-3 win.

The two singles finalists then teamed up in the men’s doubles final against Harry Gould and Chris Bowman, and it was Alan and Adam who proved stronger throughout, winning 6-3, 6-1.

Anna Scullion, meanwhile, retained her ladies’ singles title against Susan Bell in a repeat of the 2017 final.

The first set went to a tie-break, which Anna won, before stretching away to win the second 6-1.

But Susan had her moment of glory in the ladies’ doubles final when she teamed up with Sue Black to beat Anna and her partner Sarah Colman 6-2, 7-6.

The mixed doubles final, always a crowd-pleaser at the end of the afternoon, saw Sandra and Adam Juster take the first set 6-2, only for their opponents, Susan Bell and Harry Gould, to fight back and win the second by the same margin.

A very close final set saw fortunes fluctuate throughout before Sandra and Adam won the set 6-4 to get their hands on the title.

The men’s veteran singles saw Alan Barbour prove too strong for Kurt Hart as Alan won his third prize of the day.

In the ‘pot luck’ events, where partners are drawn together, the ladies’ doubles final was won by new member Aimee Davidson and her playing partner Sue Black, who beat Amanda Byles – another new member – and Sandra Juster 7-5, 6-4.

The men’s ‘pot luck’ final saw victory for Kieran Martin and Kurt Hart, who defeated Russell Graves and Scott Weir – another recent arrival at the club – 6-3, 6-4, while John Middleton and Thomas Welsh won the open ‘pot luck’ doubles after a lengthy battle against Sue Black and Arthur Connolly, the final score being 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Winners in the Plate events were as follows.

Men’s singles – Scott Weir beat Gerry Black 6-4, 6-3.

Men’s veteran singles – Gerry Black beat Lewis Graham 6-1, 6-4.

Men’s doubles - Jim McGowan and Gerry Black beat Kurt Hart and Kieran Martin 6-0,6-0.

Ladies’ singles – Sarah Colman beat Sandra Juster 6-4, 6-3.

Ladies’ doubles – Eileen Drummond and Lesley McGowan beat Gwen Burbidge and Dari Young 6-3, 6-2.

Mixed doubles – Sarah Colman and Rob Colston beat Lesley and Jim McGowan, in the longest match of the day, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5,

McRobert Thistle Trophies were presented to Gwen Burbidge and Lewis Graham, the points winners in a series of Sunday afternoon tournaments, held over the summer months.

The final award of the day, for excellent service, was presented to Rob Colston.

Dating back to 1996, the trophy, in memory of the well-known local player Marie Dixon, is awarded annually but rotates each year round the four local tennis clubs.

This year it was Craighelen’s turn to nominate a winner, and Rob’s tireless work as a member and office-bearer for many years, but in particular with great diligence and expertise as treasurer, made him the natural choice.

Rob also manages the club’s website and is always very willing to assist in the many day to day tasks involved in running a successful club.