It has been another successful week for the Sidmouth tennis teams, writes Kate Truman.

The men’s A team played Chagford at home and secured a 6-2 win. Al Spalding and Jon Powell won both of their rubbers while Jake Harrison and Mike Fletcher beat the second pair but, broke their untarnished record by losing their first rubber of the season to Chagford’s first pair.

Nevertheless, the men’s A team have had an excellent season and are now guaranteed promotion to Division Five, with just one match to play against Torquay to decide whether they finish top of the table or in second position. A great effort all round.

The ladies’ A team played neighbouring rivals Sidford. Although competitive, this fixture was, as always, played in good spirit with the Sidford ladies as much friends as rivals. It was fitting, therefore, that the final score was a 4-4 draw. With three matches left to play, the ladies A are secure in Division Two, but unlikely to be promoted.

Meanwhile, the ladies’ B team played away against Newton Abbott B on Wednesday. Having beaten the Newton Abbott team 8-0 earlier in the season at home, they were confident of another win.

However, they arrived at Newton Abbott to be greeted by a completely different make up of Newton Abbott players and a much more challenging and lengthy match. Undaunted, captain Marlene Maynard and partner Jackie Ensall were, as always, steady and consistent, grinding down their opponents with long rallies to win their rubbers 6-4, 6-4 and 6-3, 6-3.

Vici Topping and Kate Truman won their first rubber 6-3, 6-3, but were then forced to dig deep in the second.

The first set went to a tie break, and, at 2-5 down, it looked as though the odds were in the home team’s favour. However, Topping and Truman managed to claw their way back to take the tie break 10-8. In the second set Topping and Truman again found themselves struggling at 1-4 down, but were able to refocus to win the set 7-5.

That all meant a highly satisfying and well-earned 8-0 win.

The ladies’ B still have four matches left to play and all are key in determining whether they can secure promotion to Division Four or finish in the ‘almost made it’ third place spot.