With an impressive 8-0 win under their belt, Sidmouth Tennis Club Ladies’ B team were in jubilant mood as they returned from their first Winter League match away at Teign Valley last week, writes Kate Truman.

Marlene Maynard and Kate Truman have become a regular pairing and are growing in confidence as they get to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They conceded only three games overall, winning the first rubber 6-1, 6-0 and the second rubber 6-0, 6-2.

Meanwhile Jackie Ensall teamed up with left-hander Sally Lockhart for the first time in what proved to be a winning combination. Despite going down 2-5 in the first set, they quickly found their form and battled hard to take the first rubber 7-5, 6-3.

The two played more confidently in their second rubber, taking control of the net and hitting a series of winning cross-court vollies that helped them to a 6-2, 6-3 win in their second rubber. All in all, it was an enjoyable evening of tennis and the B team couldn’t have wished for a better start to the season.

?Whilst the B team were starting their winter campaign the Ladies’ A were completing the Summer League with a much delayed match against Exeter B at home. Starting in gloomy drizzle, then brightening skies and finishing off in a still, floodlit night, the weather reflected the ebb and flow of the games. Although both teams had done enough to remain in Division 2 for next season Sidmouth wanted a few extra points in order not to be propping up the rest of the teams!

First couple, Di Kendall-Torry and Viv Bess (captain) got off to a good start defeating the opposition B pairing 6-3 6-0, however, the A couple proved a much sterner test.

Mary Dean and Lesley Cranston took them on first and struggled to keep a rhythm in the first set going down 6-2; in the second set, they steadied themselves and played solidly to win that one by the same score.

The championship tie-breaker was a nail-biting affair with the home pair holding a lead throughout but two consecutive, unplayable netcords went against them at the critical time which put the opposition back in contention who then edged across the line at 12-10.

Likewise, Kendall-Torry and Bess had a closely-contested match against the same pair in the first set, narrowly losing it 7-5 but their challenge weakened in the second set going down 6-2.

Dean and Cranston finished off with a decisive win against the B couple 6-0 6-1. Overall result 5-4 in Sidmouth’s favour.