Tiverton has featured firmly in Sidmouth Tennis Club’s calendar this past week, writes Lesley Cranston.

Last Friday a mixed doubles team of Peter Fung and Hilary Caldwell, Martin Truman, pairing up again with Vici Topping, set off in search of their first victory of the season and indeed returned as the winning side.

Truman and Topping, following up on their partial success against David Lloyd the previous week, won both their matches in straight sets 6-4, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2. Fung and Caldwell had more of a struggle in their encounters both going to championship tie-breaks. They narrowly lost the first 7-5, 2-6, 6-7, but came away on the right side of the second 6-4, 4-6, 7-6. Sidmouth taking a welcome seven points home with them, leaving the hosts banking three.

Sidmouth ladies’ B also found themselves away to Tiverton last Tuesday on what proved to be an eventful evening in more ways than one!

Following on from their success against David Lloyd C last week, the same team of Marlene Maynard and Kate Truman, Vici Topping and Jackie Ensall were in action again in what proved to be challenging conditions, off court, more than on court. They were contending as much with the razzmatazz going on in the skateboard park adjacent to the courts, music blaring out from the gym with gyrating bodies in the service eyeline (perhaps that’s why one of the opposition served underarm!) and police sirens chasing the joy-riders!

Undeterred the ladies stuck to the task, kept their focus and came out comprehensive winners. Maynard and Truman had to battle to win their first rubber in a tight championship tie-break, 6-4, 2-6, 12-10, but had a more comfortable ride in the second 6-3, 6-2.

Topping (getting to know Tiverton well with a second visit inside four days), and Ensall, are showing signs of being a genuine pairing winning again this week in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.

They combined well with Ensall’s accuracy and interceptive net play together with Topping’s steadiness from the back of the court proving too much for the opposition.

Sidmouth banked eight points for their considerable efforts in the match.

Ladies A have yet another unfinished match rain having intervened at Budleigh Salterton which now means they have three to complete!

The men’s A team are beginning to get some points on the board having drawn one match and won against Exmouth last Monday.

For more information see: www.sidmouthtennisclub.co.uk