SEVEN days of uninterrupted sunshine bathed the Border Tennis Centre in Galashiels for the recent 2017 Borders Confined Junior Tennis tournament.

Parents and competitors alike basked in gorgeous weather and energy levels for all were maintained by the sterling efforts of the ever-efficient Lindsay Whitelaw in the Borders Tennis café.

Sean Berthelsen and Kirsten Begg from West Linton won the 18 and Under Mixed Doubles with Sean and Rory Shaw, also from the West Linton club, gaining the runner-up medal in the 18 and Under Doubles.

Kirsten added the 18 and Under Singles to her haul while fellow Lintonian Kirsten Rodwell scooped the 16 and Under Doubles as well as runner-up in the 18 and Under Mixed Doubles and 18 and Under Singles.

Adam Clunie from West Linton retained his 12 and Under Singles title while Peebles player Louis Kirkpatrick was the Nine and Under Singles runner-up.

Highlight of the week, however, was undoubtedly the performances from Wilton Park LTC's Harris Brogan and Earlston’s Felicity Walls.

Harris and Felicity both competed in five finals, each winning four of them.

Harris landed the 18 and Under Doubles, both the 16 and Under Singles and Doubles, and also the 14 and Under Doubles titles.

Felicity claimed the 16 and Under Singles, the 14 and Under Mixed Doubles, the 14 and Under Singles and the 12 and Under Singles.

The only ‘blemishes’ on their otherwise perfect records were a defeat to Nik Stingl (Kelso) in the 18 and Under Singles final for Harris, while Felicity and Indie Lucas succumbed to Alice MacBrayne and Kirsten Rodwell in the 16 and Under Doubles.

Honourable mentions also go to Lewis Watt (Borders Tennis Centre), Adam Clunie (West Linton LTC) and Daniel Main (Selkirk LTC) with the boys reaching four finals apiece.

Lewis eventually grabbed the 14 and Under Singles and the 14 and Under Mixed Doubles while Adam had to be content with the 12 and Under Singles title.

Spare a thought for Daniel who, having battled through to all these finals, ended up with four runner-up medals for his efforts.

Organisers thanked everyone for their participation this year and special mention should be made regarding the continuing improvement in the standard of play but, noticeably, not at the expense of any deterioration in on-court behaviour.

A spokseman told us: "We look forward to seeing this trend continue in future years events.

"Special praise is reserved for Elspeth Whitelaw, Christine Lawrie and Gareth Stott, without whose organisational abilities there would be no Borders Confined Junior Tennis Tournament."

An additional presentation, new for this year, was made to four players for their loyal commitment to Junior Tennis in the Borders.

Nik Stingl (Kelso), Sean Berthelsen, Kirsten Begg and Rory Shaw (all West Linton LTC) have all been regular annual competitors at the Borders Confined throughout the last ten years and this was their last Borders Confined event.

Eddie Brogan from the Borders Tennis Junior Management Committee commented on the passion, enthusiasm, commitment and sportsmanship that they all had exhibited in the years and hoped that they would continue these traits into their adult tennis career.

All four received a standing ovation from their fellow competitors and spectators

Tennis Borders looks forward to increased participation for the 2018 event.