The Sidmouth ladies’ and mixed teams have been in action over the last week in a busy schedule of matches across the leagues stretching the resources of the small pool of match players at the club, writes Lesley Cranston.

Last Thursday the ladies A went to Exeter to take on Tunnels who once again fielded a strong team. Their two courts are situated in a leafy residential area so no floodlights and therefore pressure to complete before the light disappears! With the wind making itself firmly felt the pairing of Di Kendall-Torry and captain Viv Bess battled hard, but went down in two sets against the steadiness of both opposition couples. Debbie Snelgrove and Lesley Cranston had a sea-saw first rubber finally prevailing in two tight sets 6-4, 7-5, but in fading light, they were unable to repeat the performance in their second rubber, in spite of many long deuce games, failed to win the vital points and disappointingly went down 6-2, 6-1. This left the points total 6-2 in favour of the home side.

The following night Debbie Snelgrove was in action again this time partnered by Mark Heywood in a mixed match at home to one of the top sides in the division, David Lloyd.

In their initial rubber they lost the first set 2-6 then surprised themselves by winning the next 6-4, but succumbed in the tie-break.

Having given their all they had little left to offer in the second rubber in which they only managed one game.

Meanwhile, Martin Truman and Vici Topping (a last minute replacement) made a good account of themselves in their first encounter, but couldn’t quite maintain a consistency and went down 3-6, 4-6. However, they got off to a good start in their second rubber (in which the opposition were fielding a club coach) by winning the first set 6-3, losing the next by the same amount, but going on to take the championship tie-break comfortably 10-5. An overall result in David Lloyds favour of 7-3, but well earned points against a top side.

Next up the ladies’ B against another David Lloyd team again at home, last Monday evening.

Vici Topping was featuring again in this contest partnered by Jackie Ensall they proved to be a strong pairing winning both rubbers easily 6-0, 6-2, and 6-2, 6-2. Meanwhile, captain, Marlene Maynard and Kate Truman made more of a meal of it in their first rubber coming through 7-5, 6-3 and cruising through in the second one 6-1, 6-0. This saw the team to a decisive home triumph banking all eight points on offer.

The ladies’ A were also in action on Monday night away to local rivals Ottery, but once again lack of floodlights left the match uncompleted with Debbie Snelgrove (getting plenty of tennis!) and Mary Dean, having to come off after winning the first set. Viv Bess and Di Kendall-Torry managed to finish their rubbers, but sadly, Sidmouth have lost the overall match as they are currently trailing 2-6.