It was another beautiful week in the tranquil setting of Kilbroney Park. As always presided over by Chris Gibbons, it was a smoothly run and fun event to both participate in and watch.

There was some Newry success to report also. 

In the Men's Doubles final, our very own Shane McAteer teamed up with Derek Laverty to win a three set battle with the local McMahon Brothers. Coming from a set down 5-7 Shane and Derek began to play tighter strokes both at the net and from the baseline to break the famous Ardgal McMahon serve and clinched sets two and three 61 62. They had also struck bullets at Patrick at the net. It meant the partnership with quite an age difference had defended their title in some style. Fellow Newry members Tim Smith and Lee had three match points in their semi but were unfortunate to lose to the McMahons.

 

Plate

It was an all Newry final but a familiar victor as Gary Hanratty known as the "King of the Plates" won his first Rostrevor Doubles Plate since 2012. This time playing with Alex Staselovich who had beaten him in the Newry Plate Singles in 2018. They beat the first time pairing of Nigel Bingham and Russell Shields Patterson. It was another close three set battle but the more experienced pair won in front of a big crowd. Gary And Alex blitzed him in the first set with three of the first four games going to deuce but they won them and thats what counts. The momentum changed with Russ and Nigel claiming four games in a row for set 2. A crucial break in the game of the final set proved crucial.

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