Ballina pairs involved in Connacht League thrillers

Ballina Tennis Club was one of many clubs vying for doubles titles in different grades at the Connacht League Finals held in Sligo Tennis Club.

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 with an impressive display of tennis, taking the lead at 4-1 in the first set. Helen's whipping forehand was a force to be reckoned with while Elaine’s clever push back lobs kept Maree on the baseline. Maree stayed cool and in control while Ballina chipped away with many games going to deuce, 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 but came back strongly in the first set. 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. On Court 6, 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 two sets, 2-6, 4-6.

At the same time on Court 4, Grainne and Carmel's game was a slow burner with a loss in the first set. But the Ballina pair bounced back and in the second set they changed tactics and style of play to use the tramlines and long baseline returns. Outstanding net play by Grainne Gough, with several spectacular smashes, left Maree in doubt of coming out on top. The second set was Grainne and Carmel's. This meant that it was going to a Championship tie-break of 10 points.

Maree started off very confident and Ballina took a nosedive to go 4-1 down. They brought it back to 3-5 and volleys back and forth went Ballina's way to see them take the lead for the first time at 7-6 with a killer smash from Grainne. But Maree weren’t going to give up that easily. The game continued in this manner with the score reaching 9-8 in Maree’s favour and they were serving for the match. The tension was high, and now the pressure was on Ballina to turn the tables.

Carmel took to the service line and fired off a solid serve. Maree rallied back with snappy shots but the strong combination of Carmel and Grainne secured a point, bringing it to 9-9. Carmel served and Ballina went 10-9 ahead and in the dying sunlight on match point, Carmel served again and with Grainne’s steely reserve they pressured Maree into another error. Ballina won with a score of 2-6, 7-5 (11-9).

While it wasn't enough to win the Connacht Grade 5 title outright, it was a delight for all the Ballina players who had come together and entered the competition. The club extends thanks to Sligo Tennis Club for their hospitality, and Mark Smyth who oversaw the event.