Despite a few postponements, a late start and at least one walkover,  the Dee tennis time managed to take the Winter League title in Division 2 with wins against Portadown, Muckamore and Gilnahirk all in the space of ten days. The new format of only two ties meant games and sets were decisive against Portadown and Muckamore respectively (after 1-1 draws) while the Dee team of Jimmy Boal, Alan Beggs, Davy Clegg and Des Mullan won their final fixture 2-0-  both pairs winning in straight sets. Others to take part in the League were team Captain Jonathan Rea and C teamer Ray Anderson. Well done to those involved in this early success for the Dee....

Seven pairs took part in the 2006 Donaghadee Open with the two visiting partnerships contesting the final.   Chris Ganacias and Christine Duncan from Civil Service beat last years winners Simon McFarland and Clare Courtney (Ward Park) 6-2 in the decider.  It was the second Dee Open title in four years for Christine, who also won in 2003 playing with Philip O' Neill. Des Mullan/Denise Smyth and Jonathan Rea/Lesley Crowther were the top placed Dee pairings.

The Dee contingent composed Alan Beggs/Vicky Maguire, Brian and Pauline Mawhinney, Jonathan Rea and Lesley Crowther, Dessie Mullan/Denise Smyth, and Trevor and Alison Octave. The event was played as a round robin tournament with everyone getting at least six sets of action with the top two pairs reaching the final. Despite a lower turnout than last year, the weather again came up trumps on a humid sort of day. Those present enjoyed a barbecue followed by ice cream and the Council Shield was presented to the winners at 5.30pm.

Presidents Night report....

No less than 23 competitors turned up for the annual Presidents night tournament with Kevin Copeland and Laura McElrath (pictured left) taking the trophy by the closest of margins. Davy Clegg was runner-up in the Mens section with the same points as Kevin while Laura took the Ladies section by one point with a three way tie for second place between Hazel, Sheila and Gail. The tournament featured some new recruits and future stars in Tanya, Linda, Orla and Alison who all played admirably in their first competitive outing while regular Pam Eakin put in her first appearance of the reason. The barbecue once again went down well with the players and it proved a most enjoyable evening. Afterwards Mrs Yvonne Mercer (centre of picture) presented the trophies to the lucky winners. The full line-up of players is featured on the home page of this website.

Dee revert to three teams.....

The first Committee meeting of 2006 has decided to enter three sides in the Mixed Leagues for the first time in nearly ten years. It is a particularly ambitious plan given that folks traditionally seem to be on holiday or become otherwise unavailable when the matches start in late April/early May. The exact team listings have not been announced but the A team is likely to consist of the familiar names: Jimmy Boal, Johnny Rea, Alan Beggs, Stephen McCausland, Margaret Jardine, Sheila Speers, Kerry Savage and Laura McElrath. The B team may also look much the same although Davy Clegg has retired from competitive action; Dessie Mullan, Kevin Copeland and possibly Eric Browett are sure to figure along with Pauline Mawhinney, Paddy Wylie, Gail Campbell and Denise Smyth. The new C team is likely to include everyone else from Ann, Linda, Pam, Tanya, Jan, Nicola, Orla, Alison, Martin, Trevor, Brian, Conor and Aaron. Pearl Magrath and Mary Anderson would also be likely starters if recovered from injury in time.

Dee win Evergreens League........

Donaghadee 3   Boat Club  0

On a humid night at the Boat Club the Dee Evergreens took the points they needed to win Division 3. With the same team as last week the Dee began on courts some distance apart with Davy Clegg and Davy Verner trailing for most of their opening set before taking it 7-5. The second set followed a similar pattern with the Dee pair also winning that one 7-5 gradually adapting to the usual skiddy conditions underfoot.

Meanwhile Dessie Mullan and Eric Browett faced the home No1 pairing (Lonsdale & Lowry) and fought out an exciting three setter to win 7-6 3-6 6-1. The return fixtures saw the two David's adapt much better to the slower No6 court and in an enjoyable match came through to win 6-3 1-6 6-3.

Eric and Dessie saved match points in their opening set against the home No2 pair before taking it on a tie break and the Dee duo were 7-6 5-2 ahead when both sides called it a day (night!). Well done to Brian Mawhinney's division winning side (he was on tour and unable to see the decider) and a special mention for Eddie Robinson the 6th squad member who played in the opener a 2-2 draw with Forth River which was decided by just 3 games in the Dee's favour.

Laura stars as B team end with win ...

Donaghadee B  6  Hawarden 0

An almost full strength B team ended their season in fine style with a 6-0 win at Hawarden on Wednesday (15 June). Laura McElrath came in for her first game since the Ladies singles league and teamed up with Gary McCausland and Gail Campbell for two straight set victories on the night. The Ladies doubles win was the 4th for Dee ladies this season (including both teams) which must be some sort of record! The homesters were an altogether friendlier bunch than last week and fielded a few reserves being at the lower end of Division 8. Other Dee winners on the night were Dessie Mullan/Denise Smyth,(6-3 6-1)  Kevin Copeland/Gail Campbell (6-4 6-1), Kevin Copeland/Des Mullan 6-4 6-4  while Davy Clegg and Paddy Wylie edged home 6-4 in the third. It was an interesting match played on a springy surface, on a sultry night to the accompaniment of various bells, klaxons and hooters from the nearby Fire Station. So the B teamers season ended with a Won 4- drew 1- lost 1 record and they look likely to finish in second spot this season.

Results: D Mullan/D Smyth beat Stewart/Callaghan 6-3 6-1, K Copeland/G Campbell beat Coyle/Cranston 6-4 6-1, D Clegg/P Wylie beat Loughins/Kennedy 6-3 4-6 6-4, G McCausland/L McElrath beat Killops/Magill 6-2 6-1. D Mullan/K Copeland beat Stewart/Coyle 6-4 6-4, G Campbell/L McElrath beat Callaghan/Cranston 6-3 6-1.

Ward Park duo win the Open......

Simon McFarland and Clare Courtney from Ward Park took the shield as Donaghadee LTC hosted its annual Open tournament on Saturday. 15 pairs took part from half a dozen clubs including CIYMS, the Boat Club, David Lloyd Centre and Ward Park. In a closely fought final on the centre court they defeated Wallace and Curry from Gilnahirk 6-4.  Dee interest ended at the Semi-Final stage with Davy Clegg and Denise Smyth losing 6-3 to Wallace and Curry while Hugh Jackson and Jill Martin lost 6-4 to the tournament winners. Other Dee pairs taking part included Jan Mercer and Alan Beggs, Kevin Copeland and Gail Campbell, Stephen McCausland and Kerry Savage and Brian and Pauline Mawhinney.  Afterwards the shield and prizes were presented to the finalists by club President Yvonne Mercer. It was a pleasant sunny day and enjoyed by all.

First defeat for B team ...

Donaghadee B  2  Hillsborough F 5

A rather depleted B team lost their first match in 12 outings- and a crucial one at that- against Division 8 leaders Hillsborough on Wednesday (8 June).  Kevin Copeland's side gave first ever league opportunities to the mother and son pair of Ann and Aaron Savage who both played well on the night with regulars Gary McCausland and Mary Anderson still on the sidelines.

The visitors won two of the three Mixed ties finished- Davy C and Paddy Wylie's match ended early at one set apiece with the other two courts empty of play. Dessie Mullan and Denise Smyth had a 6-3 6-0 win at No1 and certainly looked the part, but a quick defeat for the Ladies Doubles pairing of Ann and Gail allowed the visitors to open up a 3-1 lead. Kevin and Dessie won an action packed centre court doubles battle (7-6 6-3)  but the No2 doubles of Davy C and Aaron Savage fell away after taking the opening set. The match was decided by the 1st Ladies Doubles which- if the Dee had won- would have meant the unfinshed 2nd Mixed tie would need to have been completed! As it turned out, the visitors won the tie 4-6 7-5 3-6 to open up an unassailable 5-2 lead. The match ended at 11.40pm.

Results: D Mullan/D Smyth beat Stanley/McNickle 6-3 6-0, K Copeland/A Savage lost Magowan/McIlroy 3-6 6-7, A Savage/G Campbell lost Sergeant/Rennie 0-6 6-3 0-6, D Clegg/P Wylie v Rodgers/Hills 4-6 6-3 unfinished. D Mullan/K Copeland won 7-6 6-3, D Clegg/A Savage lost 7-5 1-6 0-6, G Campbell/A Savage lost 1-6 2-6, P Wylie/D Smyth lost 4-6 7-5 3-6. Final fixture for the B team is next week away at Hawarden with Gary McCausland likely to return while Laura McElwrath will be getting the call-up- yet another new prodigy for the Dee!!

Play off defeat for Dee...

Donaghadee 2   Ballynafeigh 3

The Dee were beaten by a strong Ballynafeigh outfit for the second time this season as the singles league finally ended for the home side. The visitors now go forward to face Newry in the decider. If anything, the Dee fielded a stronger side than last time with Jimmy Boal returned from injury but only Stephen McCausland and Johnny Rea were to emerge winners on the night.  Stephen beat D McCristal 6-1 6-4 having considerably fewer problems than in their previous encounter which went to three sets.

Kevin Copeland went down in straight sets (3-6 3-6) on the centre court- never finding the form of recent matches, while Alan Beggs fought back well in the opening set before losing out on a tie-break; final score 6-7 5-7 to John Mackey. The defeat of Jimmy Boal 2-6 3-6 to a strong serving left hander ended the home teams hopes of the singles league title for another year. The remaining tie between Johnny Rea and John Thornberry- played to a finish despite its academic nature- resulted in a 6-2 3-6 8-6 success for the Dee player who remained unbeaten throughout the singles campaign.

Second walkover for B team...

The Donaghadee B team took the points by default for the second week in succession, St Patrick's B being the latest side to succumb to a shortage of female players. How the rest of Division 9 is panning out is yet to become known but Martin Brown's team currently top the table without having hit a ball in anger. Although walkover matches are not uncommon in the minor league fixtures, to have two such occurrences in the Mixed league is almost unheard of. No doubt the B team will be hoping for some action when Newcastle are due to visit The Commons next week.

Evergreens off to losing start.....!

A rather depleted Evergreens team lost by six sets to one (four of them tie-breaks) in the opening fixture against neighbours Bangor. With Eric Browett a late casualty, Eddie Robinson received the call-up for his first outing in a Donaghadee side. Davy Verner, Davy Clegg and Brian Mawhinney also played against a team consisting of some old faces. With no match next week the next fixture is at home to Forthriver on May 21.

A team beaten....

An A team minus Dee No1 Stephen McCausland lost an exciting match at The Commons with no less than five of the ties going to three sets. It was the 1st Ladies match which proved decisive as Sheila Speers and Pearl Magrath went down 8-6 in the third after missing a match point while 6-5 ahead.

Earlier the Mixed ties were shared with the Dee pairs M Jardine/A Beggs and J Boal/S Speers coming through to win tight matches while Jimmy Boal and Johnny Rea (in another altered Mens Doubles pairing) won a hard hitting three setter after losing the opening set.

The defeat of Alan Beggs and Gary McCausland on the centre court ultimately proved crucial as despite a gallant effort neither of the Dee ladies pairs were able to win although the No1 pairing came mighty close to earning the Dee a share of the spoils.

Bangor who won at Lurgan last week look handily placed for the division while the A team- with Stephen McCausland back in action- travel to Lurgan next week.

Results: G McCausland/P Magrath lost Rogers/Stevenson 3-6 7-5 3-6, J Boal/S Speers beat Nesbitt/Duncan 6-2 5-7 6-4, A Beggs/M Jardine beat Aiken/McQuiston 3-6 6-4 6-3, J Rea/K Savage lost Edgeworth/Rogers 1-6 5-7, J Boal/J Rea beat Rogers/Duncan  4-6 6-1 6-2. A Beggs/G McCausland lost Aiken/Rogers 1-6 2-6, M Jardine/K Savage lost Nesbitt/Edgeworth 2-6 5-7, P Magrath/S Speers lost Stevenson/McQuiston 1-6 6-4 6-8.

Dee win again...

Donaghadee 5  Lurgan 0

A fourth consecutive victory may be enough to earn the Dee their first trophy of the season. Against a side at the wrong end of the table, the Dee proved too strong in all departments with only one set conceded all night. Stephen McCausland won 6-2 6-3 showing few ill effects from his football injury, Jimmy Boal came through 6-0 6-2, Johnny Rea maintained his unbeaten sequence winning 6-0 6-1 while Kevin Copeland emerged with a 6-3 6-4 success. Alan Beggs began slowly dropping the opening set 2-6, but won through 6-1 6-1 to cap another fine night for the Dee. Results from the other matches are still awaited but only Ballynafeigh (who beat the Dee 3-2 last month) have any chance of winning the Division. The Dee finished with 22 points and four wins from five matches.

So with the singles league completed next up is the Mixed League with the scheduled opening match Donaghadee B v  Civil Service C on May 3rd.  A few tickets are available for the opener (cheap seats only!)

Another singles win for Dee..

Donaghadee 4     CIYMS  1

A third consecutive victory took the Dee to the top of the table with one match remaining. Against youngish opposition who had one player missing, the Dee always held the upper hand despite a first defeat this season for injury hit Stephen McCausland. He went down in straight sets to former Ulster No1 Michael Ferguson. The other ties produced straight set wins for the Dee while Kevin Copeland was awarded a walkover win.

Results: S McCausland lost M Ferguson 3-6 3-6, Jimmy Boal beat P Robinson 6-3 6-2, Alan Beggs beat S Adams 6-1 6-1, Jonathon Rea beat A Buziani 6-2 6-3, K Copeland w/o.

Final match for the Dee is away to Lurgan on Monday (19th) and the plan is to field an unchanged team against opponents whose league position is something of a mystery. Considering singles tennis is usually only played on non 'club nights' the Dee team is playing remarkably well. Victory at Lurgan will ensure the title and a return to Division 1 next season.

Home win for singles team.....

Donaghadee 3  Warrenpoint  2

Following last weeks reverse to Ballynafeigh, the Dee fielded the same team against a side who had defeated them last season. In fact the opponents were actually a joint team made up of both Newry and Warrenpoint players.

On another fine night for tennis, there was an excellent straight sets victory for Johnny Rea on the nearest court to Scotland outpointing Stephen Philpott 7-6 6-1. The Dee went further ahead as Alan Beggs proved too consistent in a groundstroke battle to win his tie 6-3 7-6. Tightest match of the night was Kevin Copeland's big serving three setter on the centre court with the Dee man finally edged out 7-6 6-7 4-6.

Yet again the home Captain- Stephen McCausland- proved a home banker improving on his victory over the same opponent last year with an impressive 6-1 6-1 success and although Davy Verner went down 3-6 3-6 on the nearest court to Scotland, the points were secure.

Next week the team travel to the Boat Club with Jimmy Boal likely to be back in action following a trial run on Saturday.

The official opening date of the tennis season at Donaghadee will be decided by the Committee this week. So all those players who have been in hibernation will be required for action soon!

Dee beat Boat Club......

Donaghadee 4  Boat Club 1

This victory put the Dee Singles team well in the hunt for a first title of the season. No less than four of the five ties went to three sets with only Alan Beggs coming out on the losing end. Stephen McCausland- at number one- outpointed old rival Colin Smyth 7-5 in the final set while Jonathon Rea maintained his unbeaten run with a 3-6 6-2 6-2 success on courts which usually cause Dee players some problems. Other Dee winners were Kevin Copeland 6-4 6-3 and Jimmy Boal, in another tight match, 3-6 7-6 6-4. All in all, it was a great result for the singles team and a few more points will be needed next week at home to CIYMS.

Opening day washout......!

The bad weather that was forecast for April 17 duly arrived and despite a reasonable turnout of members (plus a few new faces) not too much tennis was played. For the record, only Davy Clegg, Kerry Dickson and Brian Mawhinney actually graced the courts. Such was the extent of the downpour that even the waterproofed bowlers next door gave things up as a bad job.

Everyone has vowed to really kick things off on Tuesday- rain permitting.

A gloomy Saturday was partially improved with the viewing of Ace tennis magazine - May issue (supplied by Johnny Rea) as the Dee club received a glowing write-up in a section featuring the most scenic clubs in the UK. It was interesting to see how the Dee compares in terms of members with some of their compatriots in England. One club over there has 800 Juniors alone and the adult fee for the year costs over £1,175 pp. Whereas Donaghadee has 25 members and costs £40 a year but of course we have better views and lots of rain....!!

Mixed League fixtures…..

The fixture books for the new season were revealed on Tuesday night. Once again the Dee are running two teams in the Mixed leagues with the A team in Division 5 and the B team in Division 9. The A team kick-off their programme with a home match against the Boat Club on May 4^th with the remaining matches against Bangor (H), Lurgan (A), Civil Service (A), Hillsborough (H), Ward Park B (A) and Warrenpoint (A). Jonathon Rea is the A team Captain. The B side who only lost once last year and finished in third place start with a home fixture v Civil Service C on May 3^rd followed by fixtures against St Patrick’s (A), Newcastle (H) Comber (H) Muckamore (A), Gilnahirk (H), Ward Park C (A).

Mixed league ends with a win....

Donaghadee A 5  Ward Park 2

The Dee A team notched their third win of the season in this rearranged fixture played on June 19. Denise Smyth was called up from the B team and Conor Savage retained his place against opponents who were evidently not having a great season. The visitors started well though and led in the early sets with the Mixed ties eventually being shared. However, the Dee convincingly took the Mens matches in straight sets while a great win for Laura and Lesley in the 2nd Ladies secured the points. The 1st Ladies wasn't completed with Denise and Margaret level with their opponents at three games all in the final set. The A teamers ended with a Won 3 Drew 1 and Lost 3 record, a creditable showing and a mid-table position for them, playing most of the season with Jimmy Boal sidelined. Results: Stephen McCausland/Margaret Jardine lost Gill/Gillen 2-6 3-6, Jonathan Rea/Laura McElrath lost Gillen/Stewart 2-6 3-6, Alan Beggs/Lesley Crowther beat Strickland/Franks 6-0 6-1, Conor Savage/ Denise Smyth beat Lundy/Darragh 7-5 6-4. S. McCausland/J Rea beat Gill/Gillen 6-2 6-0, L McElrath/L Crowther beat Darragh/Franks 6-4 6-4, D Smyth/M Jardine v Stewart/Taylor 5-7 6-3 3-3 unfinished...

Donaghadee B 4  Windsor 4

A third draw of the campaign ended the Mixed season for the B side against the team who won Dvision 8. The B team ended up with a Won 2 Drew 3 and Lost 1 record in third place. Windsor had already won the Division before the match but the B teamers put up a good performance winning the 3rd and 4th Mixed ties and both the Mens Doubles. Possibly the best result of the night was Gary McCausland and Pauline Mawhinney's 6-4 0-6 6-4 victory- coming from 1-4 behind in the final set. Earlier Davy Clegg and Paddy Wylie won through 6-3 6-3 and played well throughout to maintain their unbeaten run. With the pairs of Kevin/Gail, and Dessie/Denise both losing to the homesters, the match was very much in the balance but a 6-4 7-5 win for Gary and Davy against Brian McNulty/Keith Kilpatrick edged the B team ahead and when Des Mullan/Kevin Copeland took the third set of a hard hitting Mens Doubles the Dee were 4-3 ahead overall. Windsor levelled by winning the final Ladies Doubles and so the points were shared. It was a good season for the B team who comfortably retained their place in the higher Division.

Donaghadee A 4 Civil Service 4

The night previously the A teamers put on a fighting performance to earn an unlikely draw with a strong Civil Service team. The visitors actually won three of the Mixed ties while the fourth involving Alan Beggs and Lesley Crowther was a late kick-off. The Dee earned a draw thanks to two wins in the Mens Doubles, a fine Ladies Doubles win for Sheila Speers/Margaret Jardine (against a previously unbeaten pair) and a 6-4 7-5 win on the nearest court to Scotland in that delayed 3rd Mixed. Results:  Stephen McCausland/Margaret Jardine lost 5-7 2-6, Jonathan Rea/S Speers lost 2-6 5-7, Alan Beggs/Lesley Crowther won 6-4 7-5, Conor Savage/Kerry Savage lost 2-6 1-6. S McCausland/J Rea lost 6-4 6-3, Conor Savage/Alan Beggs won 6-4 6-3, Margaret Jardine/Sheila Speers won 6-4 4-6 7-5, Kerry Savage/Lesley Crowther lost 1-6 0-6. The A team currently have a Won 2 Drew 1 Lost 3 record while the unplayed match with Ward Park has been pencilled in for Monday next.

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