After a long, hot drive last Friday, Sidmouth Ladies B were greeted by a young Teignmouth team with boundless energy and unerringly accurate top-spin ground strokes, writes Lesley Cranston.

Marlene Maynard and Kate Truman quickly found themselves 4-0 down and somewhat bemused in the first set. However, with a change of tactics, the two were able to capitalise on the Teignmouth players’ relative inexperience and reluctance to come into the net.

By successfully introducing some shorter balls and well-timed drop shots the pair came back to win the rubber 4-6, 6-2, 10-5. Despite some minor lapses in concentration, they maintained their form to win the second rubber 6-4, 6-4. Andrea Cushing and Sally Lockhart were less fortunate. After a promising start with a 6-2 win in their first set, they lost the second set 4-6 and were frustrated to lose the tie-break 10-5, missing some good opportunities at the net. Unable to lift their game in the second rubber, they lost in straight sets 4-6, 4-6. Final score a 5-5 draw.

After a shaky start Sidmouth Men's team put up a good fight in a home match against Teign Valley last Wednesday. Greg Pepper and Mike Fletcher went close in the first contest, eventually going down 6-4, 6-4. Bob Hefill and Alex Spalding took longer to find their range losing rather tamely in their first match 6-2 6-1. Then, after dropping the first set of their second match to love, they finally began to make some shots. Their opponents struggled against Alex's solid groundstrokes and Bob's winners down the line, eventually the Sidmouth pair came through 0-6, 6-4,11-9, a come-back to remember!

Meanwhile, as the sun set, in their second contest Pepper and Fletcher kept their nerve, excellent volleying from both players key in clinching the decider 10-7.

Although it finished 6-4 to Teign in points, the team were delighted it was all square on rubbers - a real confidence boost against good quality opponent.