FOLLOWING a week of soaring temperatures and splendid sunshine, spectators at the finals day of the Borders Senior Confined tournament were treated to sizzling tennis.

The tournament, held at St Boswells Tennis Club this year, saw players from across the Borders competing throughout the 14th to 21st June to be in one (or more) of the 14 finals. In the ladies singles events, there was a strong presence from Berwick Tennis Club who made up five of the ladies singles and 40+ singles finalists. Berwick teenagers Hannah Bagley and Robyn Harvey had an exciting match with Bagley winning the ladies singles trophy. The ladies 40+ singles was an all-St. Boswells affair between Toni Lemmon and Claire Townsend with the latter holding off a comeback from Lemmon to win in two sets.

In the men’s singles event, a close all-Kelso final between defending title holder Niklas Stingl and Tim Campbell ended in a two set victory for Tim. The Kelso pair then teamed up later in the day to face Ian Reilly and Iain Laidlaw (Melrose) in the men’s doubles final. Following a tense semi-final earlier in the week the Kelso team prevailed to win in two sets. Ian Reilly of Melrose retained the men’s 40+ singles title for another year following a 2 set victory over James Collin (Duns). The ladies doubles saw Joanna and Judith Dixon of Duns beat St Boswells pair Toni Lemmon and Cindy Webster in two sets.

The day was rounded off with the mixed doubles finals and a nail-biting match-tie break third set win by Melrose pair Glen Gordon and Ailsa Jackson over Mike Turner (Melrose) and Juliet Smith (Peebles).

Tournament Secretary, PJ Harding, said: “In perhaps the best weather the tournament has experienced for a few years, the spectators and players enjoyed some great matches throughout the week. Finals Saturday was particularly good fun with many people to watch the tennis and join in the barbecue – some with a glass of Pimms!” The results were as follows - 40+ Women’s Singles: Claire Townsend d. Toni Lemmon 6-4 6-4; 40+ Women’s Singles Consolation: Susan Smith d. Karen Bagley 6-3 7-5.

Open Women’s Singles: Hannah Bagley d. Robyn Harvey 6-2 6-1; Open Women’s Singles Consolation: Sophie Macbrayne d. Karen Bagley 6-3 6-0.

Open Women’s Doubles: Joanna and Judith Dixon d. Toni Lemmon and Cindy Webster. Open Women’s Doubles Consolation: Lynn Bruce and Claire Townsend d. Allyson Bremner and Lucy Tile.

40+ Men’s Singles: Ian Reilly d. James Collin; 40+ Men’s Consolation d. Jim Lucas 6-3 6-3;Men’s 40+ singles Consolation: Keith Polson.

Open Men’s Singles: Tim Campbell d. Niklas Stingl 6-3 7-6 (6); Open Men’s Singles Consolation: Ross Bagley d. Joashua Thomson 6-4 6-1.

Open Men’s Doubles: Tim Campbell and Niklas Stingl d. Iain Laidlaw and Ian Reilly 6-4 6-1. Open Men’s Doubles Consolation: Mike Armstrong and Matt Tile d. William Anderson and Alistair Forsyth 6-2 6-0. Open Mixed Doubles: Glen Gordon and Ailsa Jackson d. Mike Turner and Juliet Smith 5-7 6-1 1-0 (1). Open Mixed Doubles Consolation: Iain Laidlaw and Hilary Jackson d. Matt and Lucy Tile 5-7 6-4 1-0.