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Kids Racquethon

The Club hosted Junior Racquethons at the weekend. As usual it was great fun and some really competitive events.

The 10 and under was a really closely run affair between Comhnall Ferguson and Dougal Lang, with Comhnall just shading it. Great effort by two fierce competitors. It will be great to watch this rivalry develop over the coming years. The 12 and under was a bit short on numbers this year, which was a shame. The final was between Ewan McMurray and Kirstie McMillan. Kirstie, one of only two girls at the event put up a very brave show, but Ewan was just that wee bit too strong all round. So Ewan won and Kirstie was runner-up. The 14 and under was the usual fierce competition and the standard of some of the play was fantastic, in all 3 racket sports. A big mention must go to Rhys Houston, who missed out on a final place by a mere 3 points. The final was between Dylan Williams, and defending his title Matthew Barnes. In the round robin, Matthew just about shaded it between the pair, but in the final, Dylan pulled through, especially in the racketball, to win for his 2nd time. These two very great competitors can look forward to another battle next year.

To summarise:

• 10 and under: Winner - Comhnall Ferguson, Runner -up: Dougal Lang
• 12 and under: Winner - Ewan McMurray, Runner-up: Kirstie McMillan
• 14 and under: Winner - Dylan Williams, Runner-up: Matthew Barnes

Big thanks go to Ally McMurray for organising and the parents who helped out during the event: Ross Lang, Adele McMillan, Paul Barnes, Frank Houston, Russell Taylor. It is impossible to run this event without the help of these people.

Stirling Lawn Tennis Club Finals Day 2011

Denness Wilson and his wife on the new bench, President Hendry Campbell behind.

Stirling Lawn Tennis and Squash Club held their annual tennis finals day on Sunday, with those braving the cold treated to some close and exciting matches. Following tradition, the junior matches were played in the morning.

9U Boys: C. Ferguson bt D. Lang 1-7, 7-5, 8-6
10U Girls: A. Machray bt I. Lang 7-4, 5-7, 7-1
12U Boys: R. Morrison bt E. McMurray 4-1, 4-1
14U Boys: D. Williams bt M. Barnes 4-1, 4-0
16U Girls: H. Lemmon bt K. Evans 0-4, 4-2, 10-7

After a warming lunch and a chance to re-charge the batteries, the senior finals were played in the afternoon.

Ladies Singles: H. Worsley bt N. Cunningham 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
Ladies Doubles: S. Brown & H. Worsley bt N. Cunningham & F. Horne 6-2, 6-1
Men's Doubles: G. Clarke & R.Parker bt D. Bryan & C. Semple two sets to one
Men's Plate: C. Semple bt M. Worsley 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
Mixed Doubles: K. Evans & I. Carmichael bt K. Bayes & T. Cunningham 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

The Men's Singles final, between G. Machray and M. Ziaja, had to be held over for a week. Marcus took the title with a 7-6, 6-0 victory.

President Hendry Campbell closed proceedings with a tribute to retiring Goundsman Denness Wilson for his contribution to the club. Denness was presented with a quaich and a new bench for the club was named in his honour. All present then tucked into a BBQ, and kids of all ages enjoyed the bouncy castle.

Season 2011 Review

With all the summer team matches completed we can now take stock on a remarkable campaign. We are still waiting on final confirmation from Tennis Central Scotland on the league standings, but we know enough to draw some provisional results. On the one hand it was a season of great success: all three men's doubles teams will be promoted, with the Men's 1st Team champions of division two. On the other hand there were disappointments: the Ladies 1st Team are highly likely to be relegated, and the club record of never winning a Gillespie Cup tie has unfortunately continued for another year. For detailed match by match reports see the team pages in the tennis section of the website.

Indivial Season Team Reports:

The best season for the men's team in living memory: ten victories out of ten matches, winning 161 sets and losing only 19, clinching the division two title with two matches to spare. Captain Hanley's training regime and pre-season 'friendlies' are to be commended, as is his wheeling and dealing on the transfer market. Overall a great performance by all those involved, we have the detailed stats but won't say here which players / pairings had the best record! With more quality and depth than in previous years, a competitive showing in division one is hoped for next year.

Despite losing their inspirational Captain Barnes to injury early on, the second team rallied to finish runners-up in division three. The initial stages of the season were most impressive, including a home win against eventual champions Kippen. A couple of defeats and draws took the title out of reach, but victory away to Bridge of Allan seconds on the final day secured second spot. Well done to all those involved, including those stepping down from the first team, or up from the third team, to fill in.

Led by Captain Bryan, the third team look likely to finish as runners-up in division four. The third team attempts to both give matches to adult members who want competitive tennis and offer opportunities for promising younger players. To have done this and gain promotion is quite an achievement. Now the third team will have to work on finishing their matches at a respectable time, and with the new cooker there is no longer an excuse for burning the teas.

A frustrating season for the ladies team. With a number of first team regulars moving on, it was always going to be a struggle to compete in division two. With some other team's results still to be known, relegation looks nearly certain. A number of the defeats were of the closest kind (4 points to 5), adding to the frustration. With some promising younger players on their way through, here's hoping for a speedy return up next season.

The ladies second team and the mixed doubles over-55 team both continue to enjoy the challenge of competitive tennis, with limited success. The club is particularly on the lookout for new female players. If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please feel welcome to come and play at Ladies night - Wednesday's from 7pm.

The singles team won three and lost one in division two. The defeat away to Linlithgow seconds was as tight affair, it all coming down to a match tie-break in the top match. We are still waiting to see the league tables.

The legend goes on. Despite an epic match away to Dunblane, lasting nearly four hours, we still cannot seem to win a Gillespie Cup mixed doubles tie. At least the cakes were good afterwards. Next season it's going to happen.

Denness retires as Club's Groundsman

Denness has unfortunately called a halt to his duties as the club's groundsman. Everyone at the club would like to thank him for the care and attention he has shown over the years, not only to the playing surface but the grounds overall. We are proud to have one of the best playing surfaces in the district and Denness deserves a huge thanks for that. Everyone at the club wishes Denness all the very best for the future.

Wimbledon Tickets

Congratulations to the following members who were fortunate enough to get tickets in the Wimbledon ballot this year:

• Colin Bayes
• Billy Monteith
• Ann-Maree Morrison
• Cameron Livingston
• Andrew Hirst
• George Machray
• Colin Lang
• David Bryan

Winter League Victory for Brown and Cunningham

Janet Brown and Tom Cunningham won a close encounter against Nicola Cunningham and Ian Carmichael to claim the Club's winter mixed doubles competition. Playing the shortened sets format, including deciding point deuces, Janet and Tom won 4-2, 5-4, 5-3. They even managed to stick to the complicated rules of the Tennis Convenor. Well done to the winners, and to all those who made the competition such fun.

Season-opening Tournament 2011

On a surprisingly warm and sunny April day, the Club hosted the opening social tournament for 2011. Two groups of four pairs competed, with the group winners playing each other in the final. Congratulations to Marcus Ziaja and Neil Hamlet on their victory (and their early Easter eggs)! The serious business of team tennis is now underway.

Tennis Festival 2011 - A Huge Success!

Stirling Tennis Club held their annual Mini Tennis Festival on Sunday 6th March at the club in Laurelhill Place. Tennis Taster sessions have been delivered to Primary 3 classes at Allan's, Borestone, Cambusbarron and Gargunnock primaries by club coaches in the lead-up to the festival. The children were then invited to attend a free morning of fun tennis activities at the club. The event was a great success as the kids enjoyed a variety of games including "floor tennis", "battleships", "jail" and actual mini tennis matches.

Details of membership and coaching opportunities at the club are available via their relevant parts on the website. There are still some spaces available for children's tennis classes, particularly on Saturday mornings and Tuesdays after school (contact Ross Lang on 07770 324148 for more info). The club are also actively seeking new female members of all standards, from beginners to first team players.

Photos of the day:

1st Division Success for Stirling Mixed Doubles Team