Winter tennis activities..... ....

First win for Dee ....

Donaghadee 5  Newcastle 2

The Dee A team earned their first points in Division 6 with a 5-2 win over hitherto unbeaten Newcastle. With Kerry Savage, Dessie Mullan, Adam Clint and Davy Clegg back in the squad, the team looked to be the strongest for some time and sure enough the Dee took a 3-1 lead in the Mixed ties. Only Dessie Mullan and Denise were extended to their traditional three sets but they comfortably won the decider 6-1. Captain Johnny Rea partnered Kerry Savage to a 6-2 6-2 success while Davy Clegg and Sheila Speers edged the first set (7-1) in a tie-break and took the second 6-4. Newcastle responded by taking the only Ladies Doubles played but the Dee Men took both the Doubles ties in straight sets. The A team have one more match remaining, at home to Hillsborough next week.

Results:  J Rea/K Savage beat Dornan/Brennan 6/2 6/2, A Clint/A Wilson lost Carder/McGuigan 3-6 1-6. D Mullan/D Smyth beat O’ Connor/Brown 6-3 4-6 6-1, D Clegg/S Speers beat Dornan/Brenner 7-6 6-4. D Clegg/J Rea beatDornan/Brenneman 6-1 6-4, A Clint/D Mullan beat O’Connor/McGuigan 6-4 6-1, A Wilson/K Savage lost Laffin/Carder 1-6 3-6.

The Donaghadee B team finished their season in Division 11 finishing with one draw (Royal Belfast) and five defeats. However, the team only suffered one heavy defeat and the new players involved should be all the better prepared for when the next Mixed season comes round.

B team earn first point.....

First win still awaited.....

After two matches each for the Donaghadee A and B teams, the Dee are still seeking their first Mixed League success of the season. Latest results saw the B team go down at Banbridge (7-1) while the A team were beaten 5-0 by Civil Service at The Commons. Injuries continue to affect the teams with Sheila Speers the latest casualty on Wednesday. Other players on the sidelines at the moment include Alan Beggs, Jimmy Boal and Orla Edgar. Next week the A team are at CIYMS while the B team travel to Hilden.

Singles success for Dee...

A 5-0 win at home to Newry on Thursday was enough for the Donaghadee singles team to take the Division 2 title. The Dee fielded a strong side with two new starts in Alex and Gordon Watt along with the regulars Johnny Rea (Captain), Tim Blomley and Conor Savage. Despite some spirited opposition from the combined Newry/Warrenpoint side, the Dee won all the ties in straight sets.Alex Watt won 6-1 6-1, Gordon Watt won 6-2 6-1, Tim Blomley won 7-6 6-3, J Rea won 6-3 6-1 and Conor Savage won 7-5 6-3. The match attracted quite a large crowd who watched some hard-hitting tennis.

The Dee won four of their five outings in the Division, losing only to Muckamore and amassing 19 points in total. Next year they will be back in the lofty heights of Division 1, but with a strong squad aided by Simon McFarland and club coach Stephen McCausland look sure to do well.

Meanwhile the B team won 3-2 for the second successive week to finish in a mid-table position in Division 5.

New season starts soon.....

New season at Donaghadee........

New season information........

New members wanted....

With the opening of the tennis season only a few weeks away, the Dee will be running two sides in the main leagues this term and have been greatly strengthened in recent times by the arrival of several new players like Kerry Savage, Orla Edgar and Solomon Brewster but more are welcome! Any players in the Bangor area who are looking for a new club should contact either Sheila Speers (91882387), Jonathan Rea (Coach) or Match Secretary- Davy Clegg (90526931) to arrange a practice session! Club fees this year will be £40 for adults (for year long tennis) and a further sum, possibly £45 payable to the Council. The sooner we get you down, the sooner we get you registered!

Singles fixtures now in..

Jonathan Rea and Trevor Octave will Captain the Donaghadee Mens singles teams in Divisions 2 and 5 of the competition this season. Both sides have five fixtures as follows.  Donaghadee A team: 26 March (Weds) Home v Ballymena, 31 March (Mon) Away v Muckamore, 7 April Home v Cavehill, 14 April Away v Ballynafeigh, 21 April Home v Warrenpoint. Donaghadee B team: 26 March (Weds) Away v Larne, 31 March Home v Muckamore, 7 April Away v Hilden, 14 April Home v Warrenpoint, 21 April Away v Ballynafeigh.

Mixed Season reports 2007 ……

Week Seven:

Donaghadee A 5   Gilnahirk B 1

The Dee A teamers ended their season with a win on yet another sunny night. It meant the season ended for Sheila Speers side with mid-table respectability having won two, drawn two and lost three of their seven matches. All in all, it was a decent finish in Division 6 considering the absence of three or four regulars and most of last years ladies quartet! As last week at David Lloyds, the Dee took a 3-1 lead in the Mixed ties and this time both the Mens Doubles pairs put in powerhouse performances winning 6-2 6-0 and 6-2 6-1 respectively. Three of the Mixed matches went to three sets with team Captain Sheila Speers and Alan Beggs losing out in the third, but there were good wins for Jonathan Rea/Kerry Savage  and Adam Clint/Alison Wilson for the second successive week; while Dessie Mullan teamed up with Gail Campbell for a tight 7-6 6-4 win on the centre court. Kerry and Alison lost a first set tie-break (3-7) in one of the two unfinished Ladies doubles ties but overall the Dee finished the season in style.

Results: J Rea/K Savage beat McCloy/Noteman 4-6 6-1 6-4, A Beggs/S Speers lost Allen/Mercer 4-6 6-4 4-6, D Mullan/G Campbell beat Patterson/McGookin  7-6 6-4, A Clint/A Wilson beat Moore/Hill 6-0 3-6 6-2. J Rea/A Beggs beat McCloy/Allen 6-0 6-2, A Clint/D Mullan beat Patterson/Moore 6-2 6-1. K Savage/A Wilson v McGookin/Hill 6-7 1-1 unfinished.

Week Six:

Donaghadee A 4   David Lloyd B 4

The A teamers welcomed back Kerry Savage and Laura McElrath two regulars from last season and, despite the absence of Captain Sheila Speers looked in a good position to win the match at one point. The Dee led 3-1 after the Mixed Doubles with good wins for Jonathan Rea/Kerry Savage 1-6 6-1 6-2, Des Mullan/Denise Smyth 6-3 6-2 and Adam Clint/Alison Wilson 6-1 6-3.  Alan and Laura were the only Mixed pair to lose  (3-6 3-6)   but by half eight things were looking good for the Dee on a sunny but breezy evening.

The Dee had high hopes of winning both Mens ties but had to content themselves with a second consecutive draw as only Dessie Mullan and Adam Clint managed to win. The Ladies Doubles pairings of Kerry/Laura and Denise/Alison both had the luxury of playing their ties indoors on the blue carpet but the home side won those matches as well.

The Dee A team now have a Won one, drawn two and lost three record with one match to go- at home to Gilnahirk next Monday. It has been quite a topsy-turvy Mixed season with numerous changes (even more than usual) but at least the end is in sight and the team should remain in Division 6...

The C team took the points this week courtesy of a walkover when Cavehill were unable to field a team. It's been a strange season for Trevor Octaves side, with one week of the Mixed League to go they've still only played two matches..!

Donaghadee B 0  Malone B 5

Thursday saw the B team go down to defeat against a Malone B  side who proved better than their league position suggests. With Kevin and Gail on the sidelines, Aaron Savage teamed up with Denise Smyth at 1st Mixed, while sister Kerry played with brother Conor at 4th Mixed.. Despite much pre-match planning about how to mix up the pairings, the visitors proved too good- winning all bar third Mixed in straight sets. Davy Clegg and Paddy Wylie came closest for the Dee finally losing 5-7 7-5 4-6 after fighting back from 0-4 behind in the third set. Defeat for Denise and Orla in straight sets ended proceedings for the night. Malone have a won three, lost three record and the Dee will equal that if they can beat Comber B next week. The general feeling is all the teams in Division Eight are not separated by many points but one thing is sure the B teamers won't be picking up the trophy this season!

Week Five: 

B team back on track......

Donaghadee B 5  Banbridge B 2

The B team won their second match of the season on Thursday against hitherto unbeaten Banbridge. The Dee won three of the Mixed ties and both the Mens Doubles with notable victories for Conor and Ann Savage at 4th Mixed and an impressive come-from-behind success for Gary McCausland and Denise Smyth on the centre court. The Dee pair took the second set on a tie-break and just did enough to ward off some game opposition.

Earlier Davy Clegg and Paddy Wylie followed up their Lurgan win with an equally impressive straight sets win on the nearest court to Scotland. The 2nd Mens Doubles ensured the Dee could not be beaten with a 7-5 6-2 victory while Davy Clegg and Kevin Copeland were taken to three sets (as at Lurgan) but this time they took the deciding set 6-3. Next week the B teamers play their final home match at home to Malone and with two wins from four outings are surely heading for a mid-table finish. Orla Edgar is likely to return next week and with Gail Campbell on tour, Ann Savage is likely to retain her place.

Results: K Copeland/G Campbell lost Peden/Ferguson 6-7 3-6, G. McCausland/D Smyth beat Savage/Boyce 4-6 7-6 6-4, D Clegg/P Wylie beat Campos/Groves 6-1 6-3, A and C Savage beat Longmore/Morrow 7-5 6-2. D Clegg/K Copeland beat Peden/Savage 6-3 2-6 6-4, G McCausland/C Savage beat Longmore/Campos 6-4 6-2, G Campbell/P Wylie lost Groves/Morrow 1-6 2-6.

Donaghadee A 4  Hillsborough F 4

Following last weeks reverse at Hilden, the Dee A teamers produced a better showing to share the points with Hillsborough. The Dee were 2-0 up in the early stages with Des Mullan/Denise Smyth (back from injury) winning in straight sets  on the centre court (6-2 7-6), while Jonathan Rea and Sheila Speers proved too good for the visiting No1 duo (6-2 6-3) . The visitors however levelled matters as their No2 pairing accounted for Alan and Lesley in straight sets, while Adam and Alison on the nearest court to Scotland saw a final set 3-1 lead whittled away by their opponents who reeled off five games in a row. Yet again the Mens Doubles proved the key to a good result, with Johnny Rea/Alan Beggs never in trouble winning 6-0 6-1, while a second set tie-break proved the key as Dessie and Adam ran away with the decider 6-0 against Bell/Reid. Hillsborough took the 2nd Ladies in straight sets to share the points in a fairly even match. Next week the A team face David Lloyd with team Captain Sheila Speers unavailable. Kerry Savage, Laura McElrath and Sally Brewster have been added to the squad while Dessie Mullan faces a fitness test after his Friday night exertions on the Muckamore Evergreens team!  Pearl Magrath, Kevin Copeland, David Verner, Ray Anderson, and Gary McCausland are now all on the injury list as the season takes its toll on aching limbs.   After two postponements and a 0-8 defeat, the C teamers had the week off.  Next week they play Cavehill B

Week Four:

The A team lost 0-8 at Hilden and the C team lost 0-8 at Hilden- enough said!!  The B team had the week off and escaped!

Week Three: 

The Donaghadee A team kicked off the week with a 5-2 defeat away to Muckamore. Yet again the team was liberally sprinkled with B team regulars and there was a notable success for Gary McCausland and Orla Edgar who have won all their matches this season- on two separate teams.  Other Dee winners on the night was the strong pairing of Johnny Rea and Alan Beggs, and with Pearl Magrath back in action along with Sheila Speers- the 1st Dee Ladies were leading in the third set of their unfinished tie. The home side held the upper hand in the remaining matches and did enough to take the points... so after three outings its now one win and two defeats for the Donaghadee A team. The Donaghadee C team avoided a second successive drenching by postponing their home fixture with Newcastle. On a wet night, it looked a wise decision, but that's two matches now to be rearranged!

Donaghadee B  2  Lurgan B  6

On May 17, the B team were beaten 6-2 in the scenic park at Lurgan. The Dee were level at 2-2 after the Mixed ties with Davy Clegg / Paddy Wylie winning 6-3 6-1 and Pauline/Brian Mawhinney edging home 7-5 in the third set for an excellent win.  For a time it looked as though Gary McCausland and Ann Savage would also add to the Dee tally, but they were pegged back in the third set from 5-2 ahead. Final score 6-4 1-6 5-7 for the Lurgan No 2's. The Mens and Ladies Doubles were all won by Lurgan, although Pauline/Ann and Kevin/Davy were both on the losing end 5-7 in the third set. Hampered by an injury to Gary, the Dee No 2 Men lost 6-7 5-7. The B team who have a won one and lost two record have no match next week, followed by two very welcome home fixtures. It looks like winning a tough Division 8 is now out of the question and mid-table security looks the likely aim. Team Captain Denise Smyth hopes to be back in action for the Malone encounter.

Donaghadee B 3 Hillsborough G 5

Despite an unchanged side from last week, the Dee lost in a match played at split venues in Dromore. (Apparently Hillsborough can't play at home on a Thursday!). The Dee lost three of the four Mixed Doubles ties and team Captain Denise Smyth injured her arm in a 4-6 6-3 4-6 defeat at 2nd Mixed. Meanwhile, out in the country Gary McCausland and Orla Edgar conjured up their second successive win. The Dee- in traditional style- pulled things back with Mens Doubles victories 6-3 6-4 for Davy/Kevin and 6-4 in the third set for Gary and Conor. Gary had a particularly good night which was quite ironic as the team coach forgot about him on the way to the match!  Gail and Paddy were well beaten in the 2nd Ladies and (like last week) hopes of a draw rested on Denise and Orla. This time they won the opening set but were finally beaten in three- (final set 3-6). Next weeks team away to Lurgan is likely to see the Team Captain out of action and a new face in the ranks.  After two reasonably hard matches it looks there will be no easy fixtures in Division 8 this year.

On Wednesday the C team match only got as far as the opening sets (the Dee were losing all three) when a torrential downpour meant the match was abandoned. In 25 years of reporting Dee tennis matches this is the first time such a thing has happened. Teams have been known to take shelter for 10 minutes but never pack up altogether. At least- from the Dee point of view- things were looking a bit bleak- so when the match is played again (if ever) they can field a stronger team!

Week One: The Mixed League tennis season is now well under way with all three Dee teams having played at least once. A much changed 'A' side kicked things off at Civil Service (26 April) but despite taking both the Mens ties were beaten 2-6. The A team then faced St Patricks the following Monday and earned the points with a well deserved 5-2 victory. Dee winners were J Rea/A Beggs 6-2 6-2, A Clint/D Clegg 6-0 6-3, A Beggs/L Crothers 6-3 7-6, D Clegg/G Campbell 6-3 6-2 and A Clint/A Wilson 6-3 6-2.  Only three of the line-up were A team regulars last season.

With many of last years A teamers either retired or missing, the team is likely to have many changes in personnel through the season as players are brought in from below to play their allocated two matches. Staying in Division 6 will be the priority and one more win should achieve that goal.

The C team gained a creditable 4-4 draw with Hillsborough who are going to be familiar opposition this season as all the Dee teams play them. Had Brian Mawhinney and Ray Anderson managed to take the final set of their Mens Doubles the C teamers would have taken the points. The C team has an altogether stronger look about it this season (Brian and Pauline Mawhinney starred in the opening fixture) and many of the newcomers from last season will be better attuned to the standard of play.

It was the B teamers who provided the best match of the opening round with an after-midnight finish as Denise Smyth and Orla Edgar slugged it out in a three set-epic before the home pair took the deciding tie break 7-4, ensuring a famous win for the B side. The 1st Ladies Doubles tie finally ended at 12.20am. Earlier there were good wins for Davy Clegg/Denise Smyth (in three sets), Gary McCausland/Orla Edgar 6-2 6-3, Davy Clegg/Kevin Copeland 6-1 7-5 and Gary McCausland/Conor Savage 6-0 6-1!  Once again the B team looks quite strong but face a tough looking fixture at Hillsborough next time out. All the Dee results are on the fixtures page...