THERE were more than a handful of aces, plenty line winners and a few courting controversy during the hugely successful Borders Tennis Confined Championships.

The main adult finals were held at Melrose and St Boswells clubs during August.

And the tennis was of an exceptional standard.

Hawick's Harris Brogan capped a memorable hat-trick by following up his Borders 16 & Under and 18 & Under titles with the Men's singles title.

The teenager beat West Linton's Sean Berthelsen in a thrilling final.

Aleksandra Misz from Peebles lifted all three adult women's trophies.

The powerful hitter beat clubmate and doubles partner Zara Elliot in an edge-of-the-seat singles final, which required a tie-break decider.

As well as winning the doubles title with Zara, Aleksandra also won the mixed doubles title with Graeme Kirkpatrick.

Peebles also claimed the Men's doubles title with defending champions Graeme and Michael McGee defeating Selkirk duo Cedric Raffier and Ivan Burt-Smith on a tie-break decider.

As well as the main finals on the Melrose courts, consolation finals for earlier losers were played at St Boswells.

Christine Lawrie from the organising committee, who also refereed the tournament, told us: "Player numbers were up by nearly a third on last year’s, with over 40 per cent more matches having to be arranged.

"It was great to see some new faces – and it’s hoped that this trend will continue.

"All the players are thanked for their feedback, leading to the Committee’s proposal for next year’s event to start on a Monday evening with play through to the weekend.

"Tennis Borders would like to thank this year's sponsor SPG Fire & Security, the Melrose and St Boswells clubs for the use of their facilities and their members who provided tuck shops."

Assistant referee for the championships was Elspeth Whitelaw.

Earlier in the summer the region's more experienced players took to the courts at the Kelso Orchard Club for the Seniors age-group championships.

The Over 40s, Over 55s and Over 70s tournaments were organised by Susan Smith.

Christine added: "Many thanks to the Kelso Orchard Club for hosting this event for the first time and for their great tuck shop.

"Thanks also to Susan and the committee, most of whom are stepping down at the AGM, having done at least three years’ work for the Senior and Adult events.

"New committee members are invited, especially members at venues which may hope to host events next year.

"Committee work is not time-consuming, mostly just during the actual events, so please think about it and, if interested, volunteer at the next Tennis Borders meeting."

RESULTS

Open Mixed Doubles: 1st Graeme Kirkpatrick & Aleksandra Misz, Peebles LTC, 2nd Lachlan Ferguson & Robyn Elliot Selkirk LTC/Peebles LTC. Consolation 1st Sean Berthelsen & Kirsten Begg, West Linton TC, Consolation 2nd John Reid & Lesley Watters Melrose Waverley TC.

Open Women's Doubles: 1st Zara Elliot & Aleksandra Misz Peebles LTC, 2nd Hannah Bagley & Susan Smith Berwick TC/Duns LTC. Consolation 1st Kate Bull & Lesley Thomas Wilton Pk & Hawick LTC/Kelso Orchard TC, Consolation 2nd Kirsten Begg & Kirsten Rodwell West Linton TC.

Open Men's Doubles: 1st Graeme Kirkpatrick & Michael McGee Peebles LTC, 2nd Ivan Burt-Smith & Cedric Raffier Selkirk LTC, Consolation 1st Lewis Watt & Gregor Welsh Borders Tennis Centre, 2nd Mike Armstrong & Adam Drummond St Boswells LTC.

Open Women's Singles: 1st Aleksandra Misz Peebles LTC, 2nd Zara Elliot Peebles LTC, Consolation 1st Karen Bagley Berwick Tennis Club, Consolation 2nd Kate Bull Wilton Pk & Hawick LTC.

Open Men's Singles: 1st Harris Brogan Wilton Pk & Hawick LTC, 2nd Sean Berthelsen West Linton TC, Consolation 1st Lewis Watt Borders Tennis Centre, Consolation 2nd Mike Turner Melrose Waverley TC.

70+ Mixed Doubles: 1st Brian Lumley & Brenda Lumley Melrose Waverley TC, 2nd William Grieve & Helene Williamson Melrose Waverley TC/Selkirk TC.

55+ Mixed Doubles: 1st Mike Turner & Elizabeth Dixon Melrose Waverley TC/Duns LTC, 2nd James Collin & Judith Dixon Duns LTC. Consolation 1st Charles Strang & June Murray St Boswells LTC/Kelso Orchard TC, Consolation 2nd Donald Inglis & Verity Mutch Kelso Orchard TC.

55+ Women's Doubles: 1st Christine Jackson & Susan Smith Duns LTC, 2nd Barbara Archer & Maggie Stewart Kelso Orchard TC.

55+ Men's Doubles: 1st John Reid & Ian Reilly Melrose Waverley TC, 2nd Patrick Collins & Mike Turner Duns LTC/Melrose Waverley TC.

40+ Mixed Doubles: 1st Mike Turner & Juliet Smith Melrose Waverley TC/Peebles LTC, 2nd Glen Gordon & Alison Moore Melrose Waverley TC, Consolation 1st Charles Strang & Ailsa Tweedie St Boswells LTC, Consolation 2nd William Anderson& Jennifer Anderson St Boswells LTC.

40+ Women's Doubles: 1st Toni Lemmon & Claire Townsend St Boswells LTC, 2nd Judith Dixon & Ailsa Tweedie Duns LTC/St Boswells LTC, Consolation 1st Susan Nicholson & Claire Ward Berwick TC, Consolation 2nd Alison Moore & Lesley Watters Melrose Waverley TC.

40+ Men's Doubles: 1st John Reid & Ian Reilly Melrose Waverley TC, 2nd Glen Gordon & Keith Polson Melrose Waverley TC, Consolation 1st Colin Green & Cóilín Nunan Earlston LTC/Lennel TC, Consolation 2nd William Anderson & Alistair Forsyth St Boswells LTC/Earlston LTC.

40+ Women's Singles: 1st Toni Lemmon St Boswells LTC, 2nd Claire Townsend St Boswells LTC, Consolation 1st Alison Moore Melrose Waverley TC, Consolation 2nd Judith Folan St Boswells LTC.

40+ Men's Singles: 1st Glen Gordon Melrose Waverley TC, 2nd Ian Reilly Melrose Waverley TC, Consolation 1st Colin Green Earlston LTC, Consolation 2nd Charles Strang St Boswells LTC.