The Men fielded a strong team which proved necessary as they met a forceful opposition Tunnels, who showed great doubles skills in playing an attacking game, writes Lesley Cranston.

Each of the Sidmouth pairings, John Powell and Mike Fletcher, Mark Heywood and Greg Pepper had to dig deep, coming from behind before winning through in the championship tie breaks. This was a hard-fought contest bringing out the best from both sides. Ultimately, Sidmouth were rewarded for their dogged resistance coming away with a fine win, 8-2 in points.

Another close-run match ensued for the Ladies’ B away to David Lloyd, Exeter, with plenty of distractions during play.

Damp conditions heralded the start of the bank holiday weekend and with the constant roar of traffic from the neighbouring M5, plus young children running amok on adjacent empty courts, Sidmouth did well to remain focused.

Marlene Maynard paired up with Kate Truman for the first time in what proved to be a winning combination. The two won their first match 6-3, 7-6 and the second 6-0, 4-6, 10-7, supporting each other well in the decisive tie-breaks.

The second pairing of Andrea Cushing and Anne Mason battled valiantly through many deuce games but, ultimately, just failed to convert the important points and lost in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2 and 6-1, 6-2. Sidmouth ended just on the wrong side of the points, 5-4 to David Lloyd.