Published: Thursday, 9th July, 2009 3:39pm

Home club fares well in exciting finals

by Editorial Department

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West of Ulster Open Junior Tennis Tournament; Players from the host club, Enniskillen Lawn Tennis Club had one of their most successful years to date in the West of Ulster Open Junior Tennis Tournament which came to a conclusion on Saturday afternoon after almost a week of fabulous tennis involving players of all ages from around Ireland.

The tournament sponsored this year by Home Care Maintenance, Pulse Fitness and Alex Knowles Associates enjoyed warm and sunny weather on most days except for a thunder and lightning downpour just as the last of the finals matches were being completed on Saturday afternoon. But spirits were lifted as players, parents and spectators enjoyed strawberries and cream during a busy finals day.

In addition to the main events there were also successful competitions for the younger age groups, particularly the U10s which attracted players from Belfast, Portadown and Sligo as well as talented youngsters from Fermanagh clubs and the U9s and U8s on the midi courts which involved players from Enniskillen and Irvinestown clubs in a fun session organised by Simon McFarland.

A new novice section was held this year for the first time, open to those players who had not previously won a match in an Ulster Tennis affiliated tournament such as Enniskillen. This was well supported in the boys U14 age group and is set to develop in future years.

There were some good wins by local players, particularly those from the home club. In the younger age groups, the Cousins" sisters, Sarah and Hannah lifted the U10 girls" singles and U12 girls" singles titles respectively while other future star players, Jared Monaghan and Headon Hughes-Jordan enjoyed success in singles and doubles.

The U16 and U18 girls singles titles were both won by Susannah Hughes-Jordan from the host club.

For Adam Donaldson winning the Under 18 boys singles title at his home club was a fitting way to end his final year as a junior. He also won the U18 doubles title with his younger brother, Connor who had already won the U16 boys and Under 16 mixed doubles titles, while sister, Emily Donaldson, claimed the U14 girls single title.

The prizegiving was attended by representatives of the sponsors as well as Mrs. Valerie Rowan, President of Tennis Ireland"s Ulster Branch who praised the strength of tennis in the west of the Province. Thanks were expressed to the organisers, sponsors, players and their parents for making the week a success.

In the main events, this was a successful tournament for some of the home players.

Results;

Under 10 boys singles - 1, Zac Wilson(Portadown); 2, Nial Butler(Sligo).

Under 10 girls singles - 1, Sarah Cousins(Enniskillen).

Under 12 girls singles - 1, Hannah Cousins(Enniskillen); 2, Coro Meade(Irvinestown).

Under 12 girls doubles - 1, Hannah Cousins and Laura Griffin(Enniskillen); 2, Alison Glass and Claire Reihill(Enniskillen).

Under 12 boys singles - Jared Monaghan(Enniskillen) bt Headon Hughes Jordan(Enniskillen) 6/0, 7/5.

Under 12 boys doubles - Headon Hughes Jordan and Ronan McKeever(Enniskillen) bt Stephen Fee and Rory McCaffrey(both Enniskillen).

Under 13 mixed doubles - 1,Alison Glass/Jared Monaghan(Enniskillen); 2, Hannah Cousins/Headon Hughes Jordan(Enniskillen).

Under 14 girls singles - 1, Emily Donaldson(Enniskillen); 2, Frances Taggart(Irvinestown).

Under 14 girls doubles - Zara Gillespie(Donegal)/Frances Taggart(Irvinestown) bt Katie Britton/Laura Conway(Irvinestown).

Under 14 boys singles - Sean Lang(Galway) bt Robert Connor(Enniskillen) 6/3, 7/5.

Under 14 boys doubles - Sean Lang(Galway) and Jared Monahan(Enniskillen) bt James Carroll/ Robert Connor(Enniskillen) 6/2, 6/1.

Under 16 girls singles - 1, Susannah Hughes Jordan(Enniskillen); 2, Sophie Murray(Armagh).

Under 16 boys singles - Connor Donaldson(Enniskillen) bt Finn Corrigan(Enniskillen) 6/0, 6/0.

Under 16 mixed doubles - Connor Donaldson and Alexandrea Carroll(both Enniskillen) bt Finn Corrigan(Enniskillen) and Zara Gillespie(Donegal) 6/3, 7/6.

Under 18 girls singles - 1,Susannah Hughes Jordan(Enniskillen; 2, Nicola Hawkes(Omagh).

Under 18 girls doubles - Sophie Murray and partner(Armagh) bt Alexandrea Carroll and Emily Donaldson(both Enniskillen) 6/3, 7/5.

Under 18 boys singles - Adam Donaldson(Enniskillen) bt Ross Adams(David Lloyds, Belfast), 6/3,6/3.

Under 18 boys doubles - Adam and Connor Donaldson(Enniskillen), bt Ross Adams(David Lloyd) and Glen Mowat(Enniskillen) 6/3, 6/2.

Novice section;

Under 14 boys singles - Ben Traill(Claudy) bt Rory McConville(Enniskillen).

Under 14 boys doubles - Luke Todd/Simon Barton bt Rory Jardine/Rory McConville(all Enniskillen).