Competition schedule backs up at Sidford

Sidford Tennis Club’s ladies’ and men’s teams have had a busy past couple of weeks.

The ladies team travelled to Kingsteignton hoping for a few more points to add to their season’s tally. Although they had one strong and one slightly weaker pair, Kingsteignton proved tough opposition.

The Sidford pairs of Jane Wakley with Jane Chalk and Emma Fidge with Marilyn Barlow, both beat the weaker pair in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 and 7-6, 6-4 showing an array of shots from drives to volleys, to slices and spins.

Against the stronger Kingsteignton pair, the two Janes lost the first set quickly, 6-1, before fighting back to win the second. They fought out a long championship tie-break which saw the advantage swing both ways before the Kingsteignton pair eventually triumphed 11-9.

Emma and Marilyn had a similar match, losing the first set 6-2, winning the second 6-3 and producing their best tennis of the night to secure the championship tie-break 15-13 and, with it, a 7-3 victory for the team.

A week later the team were again back on their travels, this time to the English Riviera to face Torquay C. Carrie Bevis stepped into the team and, in partnership with Jane Wakley, won one of their two matches, whilst the other pairing of Jane Chalk and Emma Fidge, won both rubbers in straight sets, to secure a 6-2 win.

The two wins for the ladies gives them a 12 point lead at the top of Division 2.

?After several weeks of inactivity the men’s team played only their second match of the season when they faced Tunnels in what proved to be a very close match. Paul Carter, with Will Boyd, produced some excellent tennis to win both their matches although they were taken to three sets by Tunnels best pair, while Mike Dommett with Kevin Tratt battled hard but were unable to produce a win that would have secured victory. The match finished in a 5-4 win for Tunnels.

The team then travelled to Exeter to face Victoria Park C. Mike Dommett and Kevin Tratt returned to form in style, winning both their rubbers in straight sets, although, in three of the sets, they fell four and, on one occasion, five games behind, before coming back to win.

Will Boyd was, undoubtedly, the star of the evening as none of the Victoria Park players could cope with his big serve, powerful ground strokes, deft volleys and agility around the court. In partnership with the ever reliable Paul Carter, they won all their games to secure an 8-0 victory for the team.

?Last Sunday, the club held the first of their popular summer tournaments. The tennis was followed by a picnic, the event was enjoyed by all those who attended. Plans are already in place for another tournament, which will be followed by a barbecue.

l For the past couple of weeks the club have been having their floodlights upgraded.

Excitement is already mounting for the big switch on, as this facility enables the club to extend play in the summer, as well as offering tennis all-year round.

l The club are very keen to welcome new members and offer regular club play most mornings during the week as well as a club evening on Thursdays and a club afternoon on Saturdays.

For further details on the club, please contact the club chairman Paul Carter on (01395) 567296 or 07805 453337 or visit the club’s newly- updated website www.sidfordtennis.co.uk.