The Men’s B team played their last match of the season last Thursday against Tiverton at home, writes Kate Truman.

Juniors, Ollie Truman and Louis Spalding were lined up to play their first match for the men’s team but, unfortunately, Louis managed to break his foot a couple of days beforehand so, in the event, Ollie played with another club junior, Harry Ensall. Bob Hefill and Mike Prentice made up the second pair. Although the Sidmouth team lost 7-2 overall, it was an enjoyable match with Ollie and Harry playing remarkably well, winning the only two sets the team has taken against Tiverton this season! Their consistency, intelligence, and great attitude on court were remarked on by all who watched their exciting matches and final tie-break. Just goes to show that some of the juniors are now well on the way to taking their places in the senior game!

It will be great to watch their progress over the next few years. If they can fit them into their busy lives, and with mums’ and dads’ support, we look forward to their continuing participation in future matches.

Meanwhile, the Ladies’ A team drew against Chagford on Monday. Both pairings of Viv Bess and Di Kendall-Tory and Debbie Snelgrove and Mary Dean beat Chagford’s second pair, but couldn’t penetrate the play of the stronger first pair. The Sidmouth ladies are now secure in their division but will need at least eight more points in their final matches against Sidford and Torquay to be in with a chance of promotion.

The Ladies, B team also played on Monday evening, away against Okehampton, who are currently top of the table. The Sidmouth ladies were expecting a tough match, but both pairings of Marlene Maynard and Jackie Ensall and Kate Truman and Vici Topping were able to defeat Okehampton’s weaker pair, once they had time to adjust to the mean, drop-dead-in-the-air slice of the stronger player!

Okehampton’s first team, however, were a tougher battle, with one of the players being particularly dominant at the net. Maynard and Ensall lost their rubber 4-6, 2-6 and, at 2-6, 2-5 down, it looked as though Topping and Truman were also facing defeat. However, with nothing to lose, the two decided to change tactics and take on Okehampton at their own game by both moving into the net.

With control of the net taken away from them, the Okehampton ladies’ game started to fall apart and Topping and Truman surprised themselves by taking the second set 7-5. Despite then losing the championship tie break, 7-10, the Sidmouth ladies had done enough to secure a very satisfying 5-4 win.