LAWN TENNIS: Kirkby Stephen tennis Club's junior and senior teams were all in action last week and came away with a spectacular hat-trick of wins.

Leading the way were the U14s when they travelled to play last season's league champions Kendal in what promised to be a very difficult opening game. However, they managed to win the match by four rubbers to two with singles wins from Richard Tunstall, James Pickles and 11-year old Lucy Potter, and a doubles victory by Joss Liversey and Richard Tunstall. It was a great effort from the whole team and especially Lucy who, playing above her age group, found herself 3-1 down in her singles only to recover superbly to close out a 7-5 win to seal the 4-2 victory.

Next up were the U16s, who entertained Sedbergh and came away with an impressive five rubbers to 1 victory. Singles wins from Alistair Keetley, Max Robinson and Gareth Bowman were followed by doubles wins from Keetley and Robinson and Robert Hook and Gareth Bowman.

Completing the series was the Men's National League Team who travelled to Newcastle to take on a much-fancied Jesmond side who had previously lost just one match this season. Kirkby, however, proved far too strong on the day, returning home with a spectacular six rubbers to nil victory. The team of Gary Payton, Mike Fleming, Adam Brown and Adrian Robson won all the rubbers for the loss of just one set. The result leapfrogs Kirkby into third place, a position they will seal if they can beat Shropshire side High Ercall in their final fixture of the season at home on Saturday, June 7, 12 noon start.

May 21, 2003 09:30