HAVING held this year's tournaments for the 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and Open age groups, 46 players from eight different Borders Clubs entered various events in the recent tournament for the 40, 55 and, for the first time, 70-and-over age groups.

These more mature players all had fiercely-fought matches which, with few exceptions, lasted for well over an hour each and in one case two-and-a-quarter hours.

Most matches were so close that a third of them needed match tie-break deciders.

Seniors Singles were only played in the 40+ age group, where St Boswells members Claire Townsend and Simon Blair triumphed over Hilary Jackson and her brother Iain Laidlaw (members of Melrose club) respectively.

Congratulations to Claire who managed the triple, winning also the Women's and Mixed Doubles titles with Lynn Bruce and Keith Polson respectively. Congratulations also to Brenda and Brian Lumley (Melrose club members), the first winners of the 70+ Mixed Doubles who were also runners-up in the 55+ Mixed Doubles - no mean feat.

All prizes were presented by PJ Harding, the outgoing Tournament Secretary who is leaving to work in England.

She was thanked for her services to Tennis Borders and wished well in her new post.

Another first was the Doubles event run alongside the Seniors tournament on the Friday evening for people over 18 years old who had never before played in a tennis tournament.

A total of eight men and 16 women played in this most enjoyable new event, which has prompted a number of these players to want to enter the Men's and Women's Doubles Leagues next year.

Tennis Borders welcomes them all and hopes they enjoy their increased competition.