Tennis teams serving up winning form

Jun 17 2009 by Lynda Nicol, East Kilbride News

EAST Kilbride Tennis Club are currently on a winning streak with both junior and senior teams doing well.

The gents’ second team have won five straight league matches in a row and are looking good for promotion from division 5B.

The last three matches have seen an impressive 6-3 away win to Milngavie, a 7-2 win at home to Giffnock 5 and a 6-3 win away to Uplawmoor on clay courts.

In addition to their league success, the gents’ second team have reached the final of the Junior Calcutta Cup following a narrow semi-final win against a determined Lenzie first team. The final is to be played this Saturday, June 20, at a neutral venue.

The gents’ third team, under the guidance of Brian Bradshaw, have won five league matches in a row and are almost certainly promoted. Their last two matches have seen them enjoy an 8-1 win away to Mount Vernon and a 9-0 home win against Woodend.

And the gents’ first team, playing in division two, have recorded a win and two losses in their last three matches – a great 7-2 home win against Esporta Lanarkshire; and 6-3 losses away to Bearsden and home to Mount Vernon (3-6). The team’s next match is at home to Kirkhill.

With four wins out of four, the under-16 boys’ team have won division 3B with a total of 46 points won plus 12 additional points for a walkover result against Mount Vernon.

Results: Lenzie, away, 12-0; Whitecraigs 2, away, 12-0; Rutherglen, home, 12-0; Milngavie, home, 10-2; Mount Vernon, home, 12-0 (walk over).

Cameron Lang, Stuart Forbes and twin brother Duncan have all represented the club in the gents second and third teams this year.

The under 14 boys’ team managed to win both their home matches this year.

With wins against Helensburgh (8-1) and Milngavie (6-3) the newly formed team performed very well for the club.

The ladies’ second team have also won three league matches to date – beating Mount Vernon (9-0), Weir Recreation (5-4) and Rutherglen (9-0).

Lorraine Black and Shirley Lang have forged a new pairing and are playing well at third couple.

Michelle Lyons has also been playing very well along with her partner and team captain Sheila Mackay.

The ladies’ first team have also won three of their league matches to date and also drawn one match against Craighelen.

With wins against Lenzie (6-3), Hillhead HSFP and Bishopton (8-1) away, the team will secure their position in this competitive division.

With the popularity and success of Andy Murray, currently ranked world number four, and Wimbledon imminent, many people’s thoughts are turning to tennis.

With this in mind, the East Kilbride Club is currently running tennis coaching for children aged five and up and beginner classes for adults as well.

Anyone interested should contact Connie on 07711 341015 for further details.