OKEHAMPTON'S Men`s B Tennis team have had a roller-coaster ride in their recent league fixtures.
They expected a tough match at home to highly placed Seaton B but the pairings of Stuart Jarvis and Chris Searle and John Jarvis and Mark Gibbs had a comfortable 8-1 win.
They then travelled to bottom club Exmouth B hoping for another victory. John Radnor stepped in at the last minute to partner John Jarvis and they made a solid start winning the first set 6-4 but this was the only point they gained.
Stuart and Chris struggled to come to terms with the grass surface and lost to the opponents first pairing in three sets. They did however win their second rubber but overall this was a disappointing 6-4 defeat.
The next fixture was at top of the table Tiverton and, in a repeat of the home match, both Okehampton pairs lost to the number one opponents but beat the second pairing for a 4-4 draw.
Okehampton were 'fired up' for their match against second placed Teignmouth after another 4-4 home draw. Stuart Jarvis and Chris Searle warmed up with a 6-1. 6-3 victory against the number two`s and then played an excellent match against the unbeaten number one pair. Although losing 6-3, 6-3 it was closely contested match with some superb tennis played by both sides. Mark Gibbs arrived nursing an injury which deteriorated during the course of play. He and his partner John Jarvis suffered a heavy defeat in their first match but dug deep to take a set in the second rubber before losing the championship tie-break 10-7.
Although this 6-3 defeat was a definite set back Okehampton B are still in the mix at the top of the table and will be hoping to pick up valuable points in their home match against Victoria Park on the July 9.