Mayo tennis club competes in Connacht League Doubles

Mayo representatives Ballina Tennis Club was vying for the Connacht League Doubles titles in different grades in Sligo Tennis Club last weekend. 

Representing Ballina was a dynamic pairing of Helen Peglar and Elaine Fox against a strong team from Maree, Co Galway in the Grade 5 category. They opened the scoreboard with an impressive display of tennis, taking the lead at 4-1 in the first set but Maree stood firm and eventually took both sets 7-5, 6-2.

Meanwhile, Grainne Gough and Carmel Tuffy took a while to settle in against another strong Maree duo and came back strongly in the first set but a cool hard breeze played havoc with their more reliable shots which resulted in line calls and the players were evidently frustrated with the turn of events. Ballina again took another loss 5-7, 1-6.

Ballina were two matches down and the pressure was mounting to win the next two matches. Helen and Elaine again fought a brave fight with long rallies, fierce returns and acute lobs. There was no shortage of super serves, aces and knockout returns but it wasn't enough to get it over the line and Ballina lost in 2 sets, 2-6, 4-6.

Then, Grainne Gough and Carmel Tuffy's game was a slow burner with a loss in the first set. Ballina bounced back and in the second, changed tactics and style of play using the tramlines and long baseline returns. The second set was theirs. This meant that it was going to a Championship Tie Break of 10 points. Carmel and Grainne secured the win with a score of 2-6, 7-5 (11-9).

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