Tennis: Dalkeith finish their season

Sam Fearnley in action for Dalkeith Tennis Club

Although both teams had already secured promotion, the title was still up for grabs and the home side made a great start, winning five of the six first round sets. Meg McDermott, Louise Kirkpatrick, Sam Fearnley and Elaine Gray then posted second round wins as Dalkeith took an unassailable lead.

Fearnley and Gray, and McDermott and Kirkpatrick both finished with three sets, with Alice Smith and Clare Smith adding a vital two in the first round.

Dalkeith had clinched promotion the week before with a 12-0 demolition of Priestfield 2 as Fearnley and Gray, McDermott and Liz Buchanan and Clare Smith and captain Ruth Sutherland all finished the night unbeaten.

In the men’s league, Dalkeith 2 also made it two promotions in two years, but fell just a point short of league winners Dunfermline 3 in Division 8B. Dalkeith secured promotion in horrendous conditions at Kirkcaldy 3 last week, before finishing the season with a comfortable 12-0 win over Grange/Dyvours 4 on Wednesday, for a fifth straight win.

Dalkeith 3 salvaged a 9-9 draw at Corstorphine 2 on Wednesday, with Julian Kettle and Glen Waddell leading the way with five sets. They finish their season at home to Craigmillar Park 4 on Wednesday.

After recording their first win of the season last week, Dalkeith 1 finished their season falling 15-3 to Merchiston 2 at Dalkeith on Monday.