Sidford Tennis Club’s men’s team has risen up to second place in the Exeter Tennis League Division 2 table, even though they suffered two defeats in their last three matches.

They still have games in hand on all the other teams and look well placed to secure the runners up spot in the league.

In a match that concluded in heavy rain, they were unlucky to lose 6-5 to a strong Victoria Park team; Paul Carter, with Will Boyd, recorded the teams only win on the night with the other three rubbers being decided on third set championship tie-breaks.

The next match saw the team travel to play on the lawns of Exmouth Tennis Club where, as well as facing strong opponents, they also had to contend with the random bounce of the unfamiliar grass courts. They quickly got to grips with the conditions and, in four very tight games, ran out 6-2 winners; Will Boyd teamed up with the wily Mike Dommett to win both their games, whilst Paul Carter, with Graham Baker, won one of their two games.

Three days later, the team were on their travels again, this time to league leaders Sampford Peverell for what proved to be a very tough encounter; Paul Carter, with Will Boyd, beat Sampford’s second pair, while Mike Dommett and Kevin Tratt lost in a third set championship tie-break. This was as good as it got for Sidford, as they went down to a 6-3 defeat.

Rain caused the postponement of the ladies team’s visit to Okehampton and it will now take place in September.

On their next outing to Victoria Park they recorded an impressive 8-0 victory. This win leaves them eight points clear at the top of Division 2.

The mixed team’s struggles continue despite some tight matches, they went down 3-1 away at Seaton and followed this with a 3-1 defeat at home against Tunnels; Sidford’s points both came from Paul Carter, in partnership with Jane Chalk, against Seaton and with Emma Fidge against Tunnels.

Four days later, league leaders Sampford Peverell were the visitors to Sidford. At the half way stage, Sidford found themselves 4-1 down, their solitary point coming from Will Boyd and Paul Carter, but fortunes turned in the second half, Paul and Will turned in a superb performance to beat Sampford Peverell’s first pair in three sets, whilst Kevin Tratt with Graham Baker beat the second pair in straight sets to leave the match tied at four-all. This was the first time Sampford Peverell had failed to record a win this season.

The two results leave Sidford in fourth place in Division 2.

The ladies team picked up a five-all draw in their away match with Exeter Golf & Country Club B; the result was built on an unbeaten performance from team Captain Marilyn Barlow with Emma Fidge, a display that saw Marilyn produce her usual display of power hitting combined with delicate drop shots and angled volleys. The second pair of Jane Wakley and Jane Chalk were below their best, but still picked up a vital point to secure the draw which leaves the team nicely placed at the top of Division 2.

For further details on joining the club, contact chairman Paul Carter on (01395) 567296 or 07805 453337or visit the clubs exciting new updated website www.sidfordtennis.co.uk