Reports
11-08-2008
Tayport’s second
Henderson Vase team had a close encounter with visiting
Darnhall on Monday, but went down 5-4 to the Division
Three leaders. The Perth side’s first couple
proved to be too strong, winning all three of their
rubbers in convincing fashion.
The home team’s
first pair, Erin Gourlay and Derek Ritchie, could do
nothing against their Darnhall counterparts, but did
comfortably win their first four sets of the evening, to
give Tayport two points.
Claire Ness and
James McRitchie added another one and a half, courtesy
of a win against the thirds and a halved rubber against
the seconds. Playing at third couple, Rachel
Callaghan and Richard Tough won their first set of the
night, against the opposing thirds, but lost the second
on a tie-break and could not add to that initial half,
as Tayport lost for the second week in succession.
The third team
were at Broughty Ferry and they suffered a 5 ½ - 3 ½
reversal. Youngsters Murray Dick and Emma
Gillespie found the going very tough, but Tayport’s
other couples were able to put points on the board.
Peter Dick and Mandy Strachan beat the third pair and
halved with the seconds, the set they lost being a
tie-break. Ross McKinstry and Sandra Gillespie
justified their status as first couple, chalking up two
points by beating the Broughty seconds and thirds, in
emphatic style.
Only one fixture
remains, though, for the third team to record an elusive
first ever Henderson Vase victory.
04-08-2008
Tayport second
team’s Henderson Vase promotion bid took a dent up at
Montrose on Monday evening, with the hosts, who fielded
three strong couples, winning 6 ½ - 2 ½. Sandra
Dillon and Derek Ritchie made a fine start, comfortably
defeating the opposing seconds, before halving a
cracking match against their first couple counterparts.
With darkness rapidly descending, however, Sandra and
Derek were upset 7-5, 6-4 by Montrose’s third couple,
who actually won all six of their sets.
Rachel Callaghan
and Martijn Schenning clinched half a point for Tayport,
with a 6-1 score against the seconds, while Eleanor
Gourlay and Richard Tough saved their best performance
for their final rubber, against the Montrose first
couple, taking the first set 6-4, to put another half
point on the board.
There was more woe
for the first team, who lost heavily at home to Broughty
Ferry. Gillian Rennie and Ian Ness began by
halving against the Ferry thirds, before losing to the
first couple and beating the seconds 6-4, 6-2, giving
them one and a half points in total.
Erin Gourlay and Jimmy Ness won another set for Tayport,
with a 7-5 win against the third pair, in the second rubber.
The second set would slip away, though. It was another
tough night for Claire Ness and James McRitchie and they could
not add to the Tayport tally, in what was an overall 7-2 defeat.
28-07-2008
Ian Ness and
Gillian Rennie played their first match together in
Division One of the Henderson Vase on Monday evening.
The Tayport pair were outclassed by Arbroath's excellent
first couple, but then won a hard-fought, two tie-break
encounter against the thirds. Against the seconds,
Ian and Gillian won another tie-break, but, due to
fading light, did not complete the rubber.
Ian’s daughter,
Claire, partnered by James McRitchie, won another half
point for Tayport winning one of the sets against
Arbroath&'s thirds and the duo also deserve praise for
winning most games against the opposing first couple.
It was not the
best of evenings for Nick and Chris Randerson, who were
unable to pick up any points, which meant Arbroath ended
with a fairly comfortable victory.
Tayport's second
string, however, made it four wins out of four, in
Division Three, beating Kinross 5 ½ - 3 ½. With
Erin Gourlay unavailable, Derek Ritchie was partnered by
Sandra Dillon and their crunch match was their last
rubber, against the visiting firsts. The Kinross
pair took the first set, but Sandra and Derek clinched
the second, on a tie-break, giving them a total of two
and a half points.
Eleanor Gourlay
and Ross McKinstry added another two to the tally, with
wins against the Kinross seconds and thirds, with whom
Sandra Gillespie and Martijn Schenning halved. The
latter couple, however, came very close to winning a set
against the firsts, losing a second set tie-break.
The third team
were at Games Club, where they suffered a heavy Division
Five defeat. Marian Wain and Peter Dick earned a
half, winning one set against the second couple.
Unfortunately, in terms of games won, neither Mandy
Strachan and Tony Gaskin, nor Emma Gillespie and Scott
McKinstry were really in contention against the wily
Games Club couples.
21-07-2008
In Monday’s Henderson
Vase match at Falkland, Tayport’s second team enjoyed
excellent hospitality and a fine evening’s tennis.
Erin Gourlay and Derek Ritchie began by winning their
one-set shoot-out against the opposing firsts, before
halving the complete rubber against their second couple
counterparts and ending the night with a victory against
Falkland’s third couple.
Derek’s sister Gillian
made a return to action after several weeks out, playing her
first match under her married name, Rennie. She was,
as usual, partnered by Ian Ness, but, given the success of
the first team, in their absence, the previous week, the
pair had to settle for a second team berth. They did
win all four sets, after being pushed all the way to a
tie-break by Falkland’s strong second couple.
Key to Tayport’s 4 ½ -
1 ½ win was probably the 3 v. 3 match at the start of the
night, whereby Rachel Callaghan and Ross McKinstry scored a
6-4, 6-3 win.
Things did not go
quite so well for the second team, at home to St. Andrews in
a Division One encounter. Nick and Chris Randerson did
take one set for Tayport, against the visiting firsts and
had one close set against each of the other two St. Andrews
couples. Another husband and wife pair, Stuart and
Sandra Dillon also had some close sets, without adding to
Tayport’s meagre tally, while James McRitchie and Claire
Ness found the going tough against much more experienced
opposition.
The third team were
without a fixture, Next Generation having pulled out.
The Tayport contingent has not had the best of luck in their
inaugural campaign, losing their first two matches by the
narrowest possible margin. Furthermore, a lack of
availability on Monday will make it difficult for the club
to find a full compliment of players for the three teams.
14-07-2008
Tayport’s first team
recorded their first ever victory in Division One of the
Henderson Vase, defeating West End on Monday evening.
Each of the home side’s three couples collected two points,
with wins against the opposing seconds and thirds.
West End’s first couple, however, proved to be too strong,
so the final outcome was a 6-3 triumph in Tayport’s favour.
Chris Randerson was,
as usual, partnered by husband Nick, while Sandra Dillon and
Jimmy Ness also took their usual place in the line-up.
Third couple on the night were Claire Ness and James
McRitchie and they both delivered the goods, more than
matching their more established team-mates.
The second team made
sure of a double against West End, beating their second
string in fairly comprehensive fashion. First up for
Erin Gourlay and Derek Ritchie was a potentially tough
contest against the first couple. The Tayport pair hit
form straight away, though, winning 6-1, 6-0 and going on to
notch up three points. Rachel Callaghan and Martijn
Schenning lost to West End’s first, but collected a
relatively comfortable two points and it was a similar story
for Sandra Gillespie and Richard Tough, as Tayport ran out
7-2 victors.
The third team played
on Tuesday evening and news of that will follow in due
course.
Tuesday:
For
the second successive match, the third team lost by the
narrowest of margins, 5-4, at home to St Andrews IV.
Mandy Strachan and Tony Gaskin earned a win and two halves,
with the two sets they dropped both tie-breakers.
Marian Wain and Scott McKinstry lost to the visiting firsts,
halved with the seconds, also losing a tie-break, and
defeating the thirds. Emma Gillespie and Tom Randerson
could only glean a half point and that came in a 6-0 win
against the thirds, having lost the first set 7-5. So,
of the five really close sets played over the course of the
evening, four were won by St. Andrews and this was the key
to their victory.
07-07-2008
The Henderson Vase
mixed doubles campaign began on Monday evening and the
Tayport first team had a baptism of fire in Division One,
losing 8 ½ - ½ at Craigmuir. Husband and wife pairing
of Nick and Chris Randerson secured the club’s only set, the
last of the evening, against Craigmuir’s seconds.
With Gillian Ritchie
otherwise engaged, Ian Ness was partnered by daughter Claire
and their best performance came against the opposing seconds,
with whom Jimmy Ness and Sandra Dillon also had a
competitive encounter.
There was better news
for the second team, who, after two consecutive promotions,
settled into Division Three by defeating Craigmuir’s second
string 6 ½ - 2 ½. Erin Gourlay and Derek Ritchie were
fairly comfortable in winning their six sets, while Rachel
Callaghan and Martijn Schenning, a new couple, earned a win
and two halves. Sandra Gillespie and James McRitchie
added another one and a half points, to round off an
enjoyable evening for the Tayport team.
Tayport are also
fielding a third team in the Henderson Vase, but, playing at
Montrose, the furthermost outpost of the Tennis Tayside
League, they narrowly lost 5-4, in a Division 5 encounter.
Ross McKinstry and Marian Wain were the stars, winning three
points for the team. Scott McKinstry and Mandy
Strachan, by all accounts, had their opportunities, but
lacked the killer instinct, while Eleanor Gourlay and Lucian
Cranciun??? Picked up Tayport’s other point.
03-07-2008
With all of the first team players available for selection, it
was Tayport's second team which reaped the benefits last
Thursday evening, for a must-win fixture against near-neighbours
Wormit. Trailing their rivals by one point, Tayport had to
clinch victory in order to retain their Division IV status and
did so, with the slimmest possible margin.
First couple of Richard Tough and Ross McKinstry won all six of
their sets, including the all-important rubber in the final
round against Wormit's seconds, which took Tayport to the
five-point tally. Peter Dick and Graeme Little also
contributed hugely, picking up two points, losing only to the
visiting firsts. Scott McKinstry and Ben Randerson didn't
quite click into gear, but their team had done just enough to
win 5-4 and consign Wormit to one of the dreaded relegation
spots.
The first team, meanwhile, will remain in Division II. They lost
6 1/2 - 2 1/2 at Craigmuir. After losing to the firsts,
Derek Ritchie and Jimmy Ness then hit form, defeating the second
couple and, in fading light, having to settle for a half against
the thirds, thus putting one and a half points on the board.
Tayport's two other couples, of Ian Ness and Martijn Schenning,
and James McRitchie and Nick Randerson,each collected half a
point against that third pair, but couldn't dent Craigmuir's
firsts or seconds. So, deservedly, Craigmuir joined Kinnoull in
the promotion berths to the top flight.
26-06-2008
Both
of Tayport's gents' teams lost heavily last Thursday evening.
The first team lost 6 ½ - 2 ½ to visiting Games Club, so look
set to end their Division Two campaign in fourth place.
Derek Ritchie and Martijn Schenning began with a marathon 7-6,
7-6 win against the opposing seconds, having been 4-0 down in
the opening set. They then lost out to Games Club's first
couple, but ended the evening by halving with the
thirds. Ian Ness and Nick Randerson took one point from
the seconds, winning the first set 6-4, before their opponents
conceded the second set. James McRitchie and Ross
McKinstry had a couple of near misses, but couldn't add to
Tayport's tally.
The second string were at Darnhall, where they went down 7-2.
First couple of Richard Tough and Peter Dick were undefeated on
the night, winning one and halving two of their rubbers, to put
Tayport's two points on the board. There was no joy this
week for Ben and Tom Randerson or Graeme Little and Ross
McKinstry, with neither couple able to overcome their
league-leading opposition.
19-06-2008
Tayport’s gents’ second
team recorded a terrific win last Thursday, defeating visiting
Broughty Ferry II by six points to three. Brothers Ben and
Tom Randerson led the way, winning five sets and only narrowly
missing out on maximum points. Graeme Little and Scott
McKinstry added two points to Tayport’s tally halving with the
firsts and thirds and beating the opposing seconds. Father
and son pair, Peter and Murray Dick, also had a good evening,
victorious in three of their six sets, and pushing their
opponents all the way in the others. Escaping relegation
remains a tall order, but still, at least, a possibility.
The first team look set to
stay in Division 2, having lost 6 ½ - 2 ½ to champions Kinnoull,
for whom a couple of promising juniors were drafted into the
side. The hosts’ excellent first couple were far too
strong for the Tayport contingent, but the visitors were able to
compete against the two remaining couples. Nick Randerson
and Ian Ness scored a good win against the thirds and halved
with the seconds. Tayport’s other point came from a fine
display by James McRitchie and Ross McKinstry, who won both sets
against Kinnoull’s thirds. First couple of Derek Ritchie
and Jimmy Ness, however, were out of sorts, failing to make any
contribution to the team’s tally.
The ladies suffered a
heavy defeat against league leaders, Anstruther, last Monday.
First couple of Erin Gourlay and Sandra Gillespie at least put
one point on the board, courtesy of two halved rubbers, against
Anstruther’s first and thirds. Neither Rachel Callaghan
and Claire Ness, nor Marian Wain and Eleanor Gourlay could gain
a tangible reward for their efforts, but, hopefully, the ladies
were on form for the local derby against Wormit, during the
week.
Meanwhile, tomorrow,
Saturday 28th June, Tayport Tennis Club opens its
doors to the public, with something of an open day, whereby any
non-members who wish to give tennis a go, are welcome to attend.
At no cost, visitors, who have perhaps caught the Wimbledon bug,
are welcome to come along and practise their tennis skills.
Equipment will be provided by the club, so no need to worry
about not having a racket. The event begins at 2.00pm and
will end at five o’clock. Feel free to come along at any
time during that period and you’ll be made more than welcome.
12-06-2008
Tayport's first team recorded a narrow 5-4 victory against
visiting Scone, last Thursday evening. Stars of the show were
Ross McKinstry and Martijn Schenning, who picked up two crucial
points, beating both the opposing seconds and thirds, either
side of a competitive game against Scone's first couple. James
McRitchie and Nick Randerson halved all three matches, to put
one and a half points on the board. Two of the sets they lost
were tie-breakers, so it was a long evening for the pair. Jimmy
Ness and Derek Ritchie also collected one and a half points,
with a straightforward win against the visiting thirds and the
first set against the seconds. They were, however, disappointed
not to compete with their first couple counterparts, in the
final rubber.
As for the second team . . . More to follow,
05-06-2008
Last Thursday night, Tayport’s gents’ first team scored a
comprehensive 8-1 win against Games Club II, at Forthill.
Ian Ness and Martijn Schenning had a fairly comfortable evening,
winning all six sets, to put three points on the board.
Derek Ritchie and Jimmy Ness did likewise, albeit not in such
straightforward fashion, having to win three of their sets 7-5.
Nick Randerson and Ross McKinstry were unbeaten in terms of
rubbers, easily defeating the opposing thirds and halving with
the other two Games Club couples, helping Tayport to a
resounding victory.
The second team, however, lost again, against St. Andrews III,
and are now in serious danger of being relegated from Division
IV. They did chalk up two points, with Peter Dick and Tony
Gaskin halving against the visiting firsts, before Tony
succumbed to tennis elbow. Brothers Ben and Tom Randerson
were Tayport’s best pair on the night, halving their first two
rubbers, and then winning the first set against the opposing
firsts, before bad light prevented them from closing out a set
which they were in a position to win. Graeme Little and Scott
McKinstry were, unfortunately, unable to add to Tayport’s tally.
The club enjoyed competing in the Kinburn Shield, in St.
Andrews, on a wonderful Sunday afternoon for tennis.
Two couples represented Tayport in the very well organised mixed
doubles event, with Nick Randerson and wife, Christine, winning
the tournament for a third consecutive year. They topped
their section and went on to compete in a group containing all
of the section winners. Despite drawing their initial
six-game contest against one of the St. Andrews couples, the
Randersons won comfortably against another of the host couples
and Lundin Links, for a deserved triumph.
Gillian Ritchie and brother, Derek, also took part, but, having
won their first two sectional games, lost a short tie-breaker
against Lundin Links, to miss out on a place in the winner’s
group. In the next stage, they won their three matches,
thus claiming fifth position. All in all, a very pleasant
Sunday afternoon for the clubs in the area.
The Tayport ladies began the second half of their season on
Monday evening, recording an excellent 6-3 win against
Duffus II, in a reverse of the scoreline from their opening
Division 5 match. Best couple on the night was Erin
Gourlay and sandra Gillespie, who dropped just half a point, a
tie-break reversal against the Duffus first couple.
Youngsters Claire Ness and Rachel Callaghan won four of their
sets and were involved in a close battle against the strong
Duffus firsts. Third couple of Mandy Strachan and Eleanor
Gourlay also enjoyed a good evening's tennis, defeating the
visiting third couple and halving with the seconds, to put one
and a half points on the board. Next stop for the ladies
is Maulesbank on Monday.
Last Thursday saw both
of Tayport’s gents’ teams lose 7-2, as the Tennis Tayside
League reached its halfway point. At home, the firsts
went down to promotion-challenging Craigmuir.
Martijn Schenning and
Ian Ness began well against the opposing thirds, winning the
opening set 6-2. Inexplicably, however, they lost the
second after establishing what had seemed to be an
unassailable advantage. The pair never recovered from
that blow, having to settle for that opening half point.
Jimmy Ness and Derek
Ritchie had a nervy start against Craigmuir’s seconds, but,
after losing the first set, 6-3, they won the second, 6-1.
Then, after losing 7-6, 6-3 to the firsts, they twice
battled back against the thirds, winning 7-6, 7-5, giving
them one and a half points in total.
Nick Randerson and
James McRitchie competed well all evening, and were
unfortunate to lose two tie-breaks, including one against
Craigmuir’s first couple.
In Wormit, the second
team again could only field two couples. Peter Dick
team up with Ben Randerson to defeat the opposing thirds, as
did newcomer Tom Randerson and newcomer, Graeme Little.
Wormit’s other two couples, however, proved to be too strong
for Tayport, on what was a glorious night for tennis.
22-05-2008
In the fourth round of
matches in the Tennis Tayside leagues, Tayport’s gents’
teams again had mixed results. With several players
unavailable, for a variety of reason, it was not possible to
field a full second team, so the guys went into their home
match against Darnhall with just two couples. Three
points down before they began was bad enough, but the
visitors went on to take full advantage and secured a 9-0
victory. Stalwart Peter Dick was joined in the team by
son, Murray, while Peter Allan and Ben Randerson also came
into the side for the first time this season.
Hopefully, more players will have made themselves available
for last night’s fixture.
The firsts got back to
winning ways at Forthill, defeating what was, officially,
Games Club’s first team. They too suffered from
unavailability, so several of their second team players, who
had already been defeated by Tayport, took part. Ian
Ness and Martijn Schenning teamed up to win five of their
six sets, dropping just a half point, against the opposing
seconds.
Jimmy Ness and Derek
Ritchie clinched two points, halving a couple of rubbers, as
did Nick Randerson and James McRitchie, giving Tayport an
overall 6 ½ - 2 ½ victory. Generally speaking, a
decent win on the unpredictable blaes surface.
15-05-2008
Tayport's gents' first
team suffered a blow at the end of the first rubber against
Kinnoull, last Thursday evening, when Richard Tough
sustained an injury which will curtail his involvement for
around one month. Having just lost the opening match, when
injury struck, he and James McRitchie had to forfeit their
remaining sets.
We wish Richard a
speedy recovery and hope that he is back in action very soon.
The rest of the tennis was almost incidental, and with
Kinnoull favourites to win Division II, it was no great
surprise that Tayport lost heavily. Derek Ritchie and Jimmy
Ness played well, but one just the one set, against the
opposing thirds, and there was a similar story for Ian Ness
and Nick Randerson, in what finished as an overall 8-1
defeat.
The seconds fared
better at Broughty Ferry, drawing a Division IV encounter.
Martijn Schenning and Ross McKinstry were the stars, winning
all six of their sets, to put three points on the board.
Second couple of Tony Gaskin, who played through the pain
barrier, and Peter Dick, added a further one and a half
points, beating Ferry's third and halving with their second
couple counterparts, winning the first set to love.
Unfortunately, Scott
McKinstry and Lucian Craciun found the going tough, but,
nonetheless, kept plugging away, during an enjoyable evening
of tennis.
08-05-2008
In the second round of
Tennis Tayside league fixtures, both of Tayport’s gents’ teams
recorded victories.
The firsts had a fine 6-3
victory, on an unpredictable surface, at Scone, in a Division II
encounter. Jimmy Ness and Derek Ritchie led the way,
winning all six of their sets, to put three points on the board.
Ian Ness and Nick Randerson lost the opening rubber, but picked
up the pace to clinch their next four sets. Martijn
Schenning, who was making his debut for the team, and James
McRitchie, lost to the opposing seconds, but halved their other
two matches. Highlight for them was a 6-1 second set
demolition of Scone’s first couple.
At Tayport, the second
team earned a narrow 5-4 win against visiting Glenfarg.
Ross McKinstry and Richard Tough, a blend of youth and
experience, chalked up a comfortable three points on the night,
while Tony Gaskin and Peter Dick added a very respectable two
points, thanks to wins against the opposing firsts and seconds.
Young duo of Scott McKinstry and Tom Randerson competed in most
sets, but could not quite deliver, in terms of points.
All in all, though, a very
successful and enjoyable evening for both teams.
01-05-2008
The Tennis Tayside Leagues
are now underway and Tayport's gents' teams had mixed fortunes
on the opening night of the campaign.
The firsts played host to
Games Club II in a Division Two clash, last Thursday, winning 6
½ - 2 ½. Playing at first couple, Ian Ness and Nick
Randerson won all of their six sets, in comfortable fashion, to
put three points on the board. James McRitchie and Richard
Tough came close to matching that tally, dropping just the one
set. Jimmy Ness and Derek Ritchie, however, were below par,
contributing only one point to the cause, with a victory against
the opposing thirds.
While the first team got
off to a positive start, following last season’s relegation, the
seconds began poorly, in similar circumstances. Severely
depleted, it was always going to be tough away to St. Andrews
III, in a Division Four encounter, but the 8 ½ - ½ reversal left
them reeling. Regulars, Tony Gaskin and Peter Dick, won
the half, clinching the second set against the second couple.
The McKinstry brothers, Ross and Scott battled well, forcing a
couple of tie-breakers, while new pairing of David Tough and
debutant Lucian Graciun did well to take the opposing first to a
tie-breaker. Their efforts were in vain, though, so the
guys will look to bounce back in the forthcoming fixtures.
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