Ducks come good in the driving rain
Editorial Department • Published 8 Dec 2011 13:00
0 Comments
The Thai Monks and Peking Ducks progressed to semi-finals of the Autumn League at Enniskillen Tennis after two hard fought wins last week.
The Thai Monks took on the Baked Oysters in the first of the two Wednesday matches. Very close contests were the order of the day with Brian Donaldson and Maxine Leary being instrumental in obtaining a narrow lead of two points for the Monks on completion of the four mixed doubles matches.
In the second series of matches, Bernie Hall and Heather Boles gained a surprise win for the Oysters over Andrea Crawford and Moira McAdam in a closely contested match winning 7-5. However, it was a very encouraging win for Keith Miller and Seamus McGuinness over Brian Donaldson and Iain Kennedy that appeared to set the Oysters up for a big upset. But not to be outdone, Maxine Leary playing a captain's role partnered by Jenny Kelly gained a decisive victory for the Monks which brought them victory on the night 53 -43.
In the other Wednesday night match, the driving rain was used as a 'legitimate' excuse by some players who were feeling a little under the weather. Martin Sharkey and Bernie Cornyn got off to a flying start for the Peking Ducks against John Griffin and Josie Gillen (Crab Claws) and never looked like relinquishing their healthy lead eventually taking the match 8-4.
Hugh Maguire and Michelle Kennedy overcame the challenge of Reggie Ferguson and Brenda Davis by a similar margin thereby increasing the Peking Ducks lead over the Crab Claws. Only new guns Niall McGandy and Yvonne Masterson managed to save the Crab's blushes when managing a well deserved draw against the experienced Allan Reynolds and Bridie McCaffrey. Martin Dillon and Sheila Colville capped a great night for the Ducks outgunning Johnny Guette and Roisin O'Connell in the final match. With the courts now virtually unplayable with the ever-increasing puddles of surface water, both captains agreed that the points on offer for the remaining matches would be halved to the relief of the remaining competitors.
Monday's encounter between the Chilli Squids and Buffalo Wings was keenly contested with the Buffalos winging it by 51 points to 45. Match of the night saw Derek Elliott and Leonie Madigan emerge with a highly credible 6-6 draw against the formidable duo of Connor Donaldson and Heather Johnstone. The final series of matches for the Monday night teams take place next week with team captains Louise McGann and Sonja Hateboer in pole position for the remaining semi-final places.
Monday Nights
Captain Rounds Points
Pig 'n Chickens Louise McGann 7 387
Surf n Turfs Sonja Hateboer 7 359
Buffalo Wings Donal Burns 8 338
Black Soles Liz Murphy 7 329
Chilli Squids Leonie Madigan 7 315
Wednesday Nights
Peking Ducks Berni Cornyn 9 464
Thai Monks Maxine Leary 9 461
Baked Oysters Bennie Sheridan 9 410
Crab Claws Brenda Davis 9 393
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 08 Dec 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
