Things are heating up after the latest round of matches in the Craighelen Tennis Club Championships.

In the ladies singles, Sarah Colman and Susan Bell had an excellent match with Susan winning through 6-2, 6-2 and she awaits the winner of the match between Ashley Bolton and Anna Scullion .

In the Ladies Doubles a very close match, played on a beautiful sunny morning, saw Lesley McGowan and Eileen Drummond play against Louise Robertson and Fiona MacPherson. Long rallies with fortunes fluctuating throughout, made for an exciting encounter. Eileen and Lesley emerged the winners by the narrow margin of 6-4, 7-5.

Sandra Juster and Jackie Morris were the next opponents for Lesley and Eileen . Sandra and Jackie got off to a flying start but Lesley and Eileen came back to win the match 6-3, 6-1.

In the Men’s Singles Rob Colston and David Thorpe played a long match with Rob winning by 6-3, 1-6, 6-4. Gerry Black beat David Cameron 6-4, 6-0

Gerry, playing with Sandy Allan , lost out in the Men’s doubles to Fraser Baird and Thomas Owen. The score was 6-1, 6-3. Also in theis event, Jim McGowan and Dave tHorpe beat Arthur Connolly and David Cameron 6-2, 6-1.

In the Mixed Doubles, Dave Thorpe and Susan Bell beat John Middleton and Fiona MacPherson . There were great rallies and much fun in this match .Another great contest in the Mixed Doubles was that between Lesley and Jim McGowan and Ashley Bolton and Kurt Hart. The first set was won by Ashley and Kurt 6-1, with Kurt using his speed around the court and accurate drop shots to good effect and Ashley striking good crosscourt backhands. The second set was won by Lesley and Jim 6-2. They played consistent , thoughtful tennis , winning many of the long baseline rallies. All to play for in the final set . It was a great set to watch and , in the end, Kurt and Ashley won it 6-3, with Kurt again making some timely drop shots and producing accurate serving .

In the Handicap Mixed Pot Luck Doubles Anne Doig and John Middleton, who started off each game plus 15, beat David Cameron and Sandra Juster 6-1, 6-4. In another match in this event, the match between Jackie Morris and Arthur Connolly and Sue Black and Russell Graves proved to be great entertainment for the spectators and players alike. With the lead changing hands frequently and excellent play on both sides , the result could not be predicted. In the end Arthur and Jackie won 6-7,7-6,6-4. In the same event Fraser Baird and John Colman took on Fiona MacPherson and Rob Colston . The first set was close , with both pairs having opportunities to win the set, which was won by John and Fraser by 7 games to 5. The second set produced consistent play from Fraser and some excellent net play from John, ensuring that they won the set by 6 games to 1.

In the Gents Pot Luck Doubles, John Middleton and Rob Colston beat Kurt Hart and David Cameron in another marathon encounter. The final score was 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.

An alternative Singles Competition was played last Sunday . Ten players , split into two sections , took part. Table tennis rules applied , with the best of three games , first to eleven points winning a game, being the rules. Each player had four matches and at the end of the competition , section winner were Fraser Baird and Sandy Allan.

The West of Scotland over 40’s Leagues have just started and the Craighelen Ladies Second Team had a splendid 5 sets to 1 over a strong Titwood 2.

Jackie Morris and Sandra Juster won three sets, while Louise Robertson and Anne Barrie won two. .