Following on from the successful Fermanagh Open Tennis Championships, Irvinestown Lawn Tennis Club commenced the Coalter’s Hardware sponsored Summer League last week.

Playing over five weeks, three nights every week and comprising four teams of six players each, first on the courts last Monday were The Sanders and The Hammers. All three first round matches went the way of The Hammers and all by the slimmest of margins; 7-6, courtesy of David McDowell/Dieter Andrich, Doreen Jones/Sebastian Kalka and the paring of Karen Johnston/Chloe Haveron.

In round two, The Sanders started with a great 10-3 victory by Steven Phair/Mark Crozier, but then Dieter now playing with Karen, replied with a win by the same margin (10-3). The final game of the night, a tight 7-6 contest, went the way of The Hammers thanks to Doreen and Chloe, giving them a slim victory of 41-37 points overall.

Tuesday and The Sanders were back on court again, this time against The Nailers. They started with a massive 11-2 win thanks to Steven Phair and subbing partner Trevor Lucy. This was followed up with two 7-6 victories by Andrew Surphlis/Mark Crozier and then Edeline Andrich playing with sub Jill Parkinson.

In round two, yet again a scoreline of 7-6 was recorded when Steven and Mark took the honours for The Sanders. Despite a late rally from David McDowell and Wendy Eaton (both subbing) of 8-5 for The Nailers, Andrew Surphlis and Jill took the last game of the evening 9-4 to give The Sanders a superior points tally on the night. 46-32.

It was the turn of The Painters to take to the courts on Wednesday pitted against The Hammers, who started the night with an 8-5 victory by David McDowell/Dieter Andrich.

The same scoreline was recorded when Trevor Lucy/Wendy Eaton replied for The Painters. Yet again an 8-5 scoreline determined the final first round match when sisters Edeline and Ulrike Andrich (both subbing) triumphed for The Hammers.

In round two, Wendy now partnered by Marty Garrity took their game 9-4 for The Nailers, and despite the next match being won 7-6 by Dieter and Edeline for The Hammers, another 9-4 victory by Trevor and subbing partner Mark Palmer meant The Painters took the honours on the night 42-36