Rebels shock Novas in thrilling final
Editorial Department • Published 1 Dec 2011 13:00
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The winning Rafa's Rebels team are pictured with sponsors Niall Smyth and Michael Leslie at the presentation of prizes for the Autumn League at Irvinestown Lawn Tennis Club.
A thrilling final of the Smyth Leslie Autumn League took place on Tuesday night in Irvinestown.
Moreover, it produced a bit of a shock as the unbeaten front runners, Novak's Novas were edged out by just two points by Rafa's Rebels.
This was a nip and tuck encounter throughout and at the half-way mark the scores were level pegging with 7-6 wins for the Novas from Donna McSorley/James Meade and Kevin and Liam McGuinness (Kevin playing in spite of a foot injury) while the Rebels had 7-6 wins from William Britton/Ronan McGuinness and Jill Parkinson and Cora Meade(sub).
It was all to play for going into round two when James and partner Steve Beaumont (sub) took their match 8-5 for the Novas but a 9-4 win from Jill and partner Anthony McCaughey put the Rebels ahead. Sinead Maguire, Novas team captain, and Liam McGuinness took their match 7-6.
The teams were neck and neck at this stage and tension mounted in the Pavilion while the last match on Court one continued. This was the deciding match and David McDowell (sub) and partner William Britton just edged a 7-6 victory leaving the final score 53-51 for the Rebels, proving that in tennis, it's never over until the last ball is struck.
The third and fourth place play-off took place on Monday night between Maria's Maestros and Wozni's Wonders with a number of players subbing for both teams.
The first round saw closely fought matches on three of the courts with the Maestros just edging 7-6 wins for the Maestros from Martin Garrity/Kathleen Maguire; Wendy Eaton/Adam Gannon and Chrissy Pendry/Eileen Whitely.
The only win for the Wonders came from a good win, 10-3, from Joanne Daly partnered by sub Alby Gray, which edged the team ahead going into round two.
A 9-4 win for the Wonders from David McDowell/Joanne was equalled by the same score with a great effort for the Maestros from Kathleen Maguire/Tanya Cathcart. Wendy/Chrissy then added to the score with an 8-5 win for the Maestros but Kate Heaver/Lorrainne Mackey just held on for a 7-6 win leaving the Wonders finishing in front by a slim margin of 53- 51.
At the Presentation in the Pavilion afterwards, the outgoing Club Captain John Sheridan, thanked sponsors Niall Smyth and Michael Leslie for their invaluable support over the past years and invited them to present the prizes to the players of both teams.
Speaking on behalf of Smyth Leslie, Michael congratulated the winning team and all those who had taken part in what had clearly been an enjoyable league. He said the firm were pleased to be associated with Irvinestown Lawn Tennis Club and wished the club continued success both on the courts and at their 20th Anniversary Gala Ball being held on December 2.
John Sheridan also thanked F.D.C for their continued support and expressed the club's gratitude to George Beacom and Bawnacre staff for the wonderful spread they had provided before the presentation. He also congratulated the winners, commiserated with the gallant losers and made special mention of the subs who had played their part for all of the teams throughout the League.
The club also took the opportunity to present the prizes to the winning team of the Northern Bank sponsored Summer League which had been won by the Pennies, captained appropriately by Kathleen Maguire.
John Maguire, Club President, concluded the evening by reiterating the club's sincere appreciation of the ongoing support from Smyth Leslie, Northern bank and F.D.C and George and Bawnacre staff.
He reminded everyone of the 20th Anniversary Ball on December 2 and looked forward to seeing players on the court on Tuesday, December 13 for the Christmas Turkey competition sponsored by Millar Meats.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 01 Dec 11
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