TENNIS — Greenock And District Championship Finals

AFTER an initial cloudburst, the sun shone warmly on the 70th Greenock and District tennis championship finals which took place at Ardgowan Tennis Club.

Defending men’s singles champion Craig Williams was on top form against Calum Roberts in a repeat of last year’s final and Craig ran out a convincing winner 6-1, 6-0.

Under-12 boys finalists, winner Calum Charteris, left, and Oliver Fisher. And right, Craig Williams

Craig was not far from the winning post in the men’s doubles, partnered by Gary Brown, when he suffered a suspected hamstring injury. He could not continue and the men’s doubles championship went to Mark McGrath and Calum Roberts.

There was a treble  for Diane Fung. She and Barbara Reid fought out a close veteran women’s final with Diane winning 4/6 6/4 7/6. Diane, partnered by L Reid, then went on to win the ladies’ doubles beating Alison Daisley and Susan Soutar 6/1 6/3 and the veterans mixed doubles with Callum Gerrard, getting the better of Jim Lyon and Alison Daisley in a close match, 7/5 4/6 10-4.

A treble of championship wins also went to young Dylan Crawford who triumphed in both the Boys’ under-16 and under-18 singles and in the Men’s Shield.

Jim Lyon did the treble too, winning the veterans men’s singles, the veteran men’s doubles partnered by Morris Glen, and the mixed doubles, partnered by Alison Daisley.

From left, Dylan Crawford, Diane Fung and Jim Lyon

The boys’ under-12 final produced one of the top games with both boys hitting the ball very firmly. In the end, Calum Charteris beat Oliver Fisher 6/3 6/4.

Oneof the championship organisers Chris Jewell said: “We were very lucky with the weather with the window of sunshine we had during the afternoon before the heavens opened up again later that day.

“We are once again indebted to our tournament referee Raymond Norris who as ever put in a power of work with the draws and making sure matches were played on time.

“Thanks are also due to groundsman Harry Murdoch and his team who made sure the courts were in good condition for the finals after the wind and rain the previous night and to our sponsors Inverclyde Leisure. We also thank our catering ladies for all their hard work on the day.”

Results

Men’s Singles — C Williams beat C Roberts 6/1 6/0

Veteran Ladies’ Singles— D Fung beat B Reid 4/6 6/4 7/6

Under-18 Boys — D Crawford beat R Murdoch 6/4 7/6

Veteran Men’s Singles — J Lyon beat M Smith 6/2 6/1

Men’s Doubles — M McGrath/C Roberts bt C Williams/G Brown 2/6 3/5 ret.

Ladies’ Doubles — D. Fung/L Reid beat A Daisley/S Soutar 6/1 6/3

Men’s Shield — D Crawford beat C Fay 6/4 6/3

Under-12 Boys — C Charteris beat O Fisher 6/3 6/4

Veteran Mixed Doubles — C Gerrard/D Fung beat J Lyon/A Daisley 7/5 4/6 10-4

Under-16 Boys — D Crawford beat A Kershaw 6/2 6/3

Veteran Men’s Doubles  — J Lyon/M Glen beat R FraserR/M Foley 6/1 7/5

Mixed Doubles  — J Lyon/A Daisley beat M McGrath/S Soutar 6/4 6/4

Men’s doubles final