Gallagher/McCallum net mixed doubles’ tennis cup
A mixed doubles duo had a smashing evening winning Campbeltown Lawn Tennis Club’s (CLTC) HMS Platypus Cup. Jane Gallagher last saw her name inscribed on the club’s most illustrious trophy in 2009 and last Thursday, following her recent ladies’ singles defeat, found success partnering Martin McCallum. The championship’s prospects did not look promising until 15 minutes before the start as heavy showers battered Campbeltown all afternoon. Top gents pairing Sary Rahma and McCallum turned up for a ‘bounce’ game not realising the mixed doubles was scheduled. Their appearance added up to perfect numbers and the four gents’ and ladies’ names were selected from two hats. Even before starting, it seemed clear that the eventual winners would be either the Dorothy Gray/ Rahma pairing or the Gallagher/ McCallum team and so it turned out. In the first round games, Catherine Dobbie/Mark Davey playing Gallagher/McCallum and Elizabeth Hill/Sid Gallagher versus Gray/ Rahma both went down 6-1. Due to time constraints it was decided to restrict the final to one set which Gallagher/McCallum comfortably won 6-3.
A losers’ play-off saw Dobbie/ Davey beat Hill/Gallagher. The gents’ league is slowly progressing but there are many games left to play. It is hoped to have a CLTC meal and prize-giving evening on October 5. Players visiting with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, from September 29 to October 4, hope to tune up their tennis in musical interludes and CLTC members may be needed to provide competition.