Sidmouth Men’s B team suffered their first loss of the season in Division Eight when they went down 5-4 at home to Okehampton B, writes Kate Truman.

Team players were John Clarke and Nigel Hillier and Richard Davies and Martin Dawes. While disappointing, there were positives to be taken from the night’s performances.

Hillier made his first match appearance in fine style while Davies and Dawes developed their doubles play.

The away team number-one pair were very consistent in their return play, especially the captain, and in both matches they always had the edge over the Sidmouth

pairs.

Davies and Dawes comfortably won their second match 2-0.

Clarke and Hillier let slip a second set lead and had to be content with winning a

championship tie breaker

10-4.

With youngsters and new senior team members now available throughout the season, the B team has strength in numbers and experience.

The hope is the team help them develop and hone the skill set for competitive tennis as the season progresses.

They are in action tonight (Friday) away to Victoria Park E.

Sidmouth’s Men’s A team continued their unbeaten run in Division Six by beating Exeter Golf and Country Club away with the loss of only two games across eight sets.

This season’s established first pair of Jake Harrison and Mike Fletcher (with a remarkable 50-year age advantage) comfortably dealt with their Exeter opponents in double quick time.

Martin Truman and Alex Spalding – combined age greater than that of Jake and Mike, since you ask – re-formed a long-standing partnership to win 6-0 6-1, 6-0 6-1.

Played in high winds but on very true artificial grass courts, Sidmouth were pleased to overcome a team who were a division higher last season.

Determined to preserve their table-topping position, next week Sidmouth must beat their local rivals Tipton St John.