OKEHAMPTON and District Tennis Club men's A team secured their position in division 3 of the Exeter and District Tennis League when they managed a 2-2 draw against Cranford C.
The match was played on the Simmons Park courts and home advantage proved vital. Okehampton welcomed back stalwart Phil Povey, and he and regular partner Paul Love won their first match 6-0, 6-2. Second pair Graham Mitchell and Andrew Carter played well and were unfortunate to lose in three sets 7-6, 4-6, 2-6.
In their second match, Phil and Paul were beaten in two closely fought sets 5-7, 4-6, however Graham and Andrew secured a draw by winning their second match 6-0, 6-4.
The match balls for this match were sponsored by Newell's Travel.
The previous week the men had put extra pressure on themselves with a disappointing 4-0 defeat at home to Cranford's B team.
Although Paul Love and Jerry Stephens had chances in their first match they eventually lost 6-7, 4-6. Graham Mitchell and Andrew Carter also found the opposition too strong and the Okehampton players did well to regroup for the match the following week.
The ladies' A team travelled to Exeter Golf and Country Club where regular partnership Angela Herrod Taylor and Lin Atkinson started well by winning their first match 6-4, 6-1. In their second match Lin unfortunately suffered a muscle strain and the partnership lost their next two sets against Country Club's number one pair 2-6, 2-6.
Julia Moysey and Beth Carter, regular second team players throughout the season, joined the first team for this enjoyable fixture. They played well against strong opponents losing both their matches 1-6, 4-6 and 2-6, 1-6.
With limited facilities the Okehampton juniors continue to defeat far more experienced teams.
Congratulations go to Jonathan Carter, Andrew Herrod Taylor and Stuart Jarvis for finishing runners-up to Exeter Golf and Country Club in the Rover Junior National Club League, Devon Division. During the summer Okehampton completed wins over Dawlish, Bovey Tracey and Cranford.
Jonathan and Andrew also represented Okehampton in the Devon Junior closed Tournament. Andrew did particularly well in his first singles competition, winning two matches.
These juniors are now providing strong support to the adult teams and with Scott Rose they will be pressing for regular men's league matches next season. The club continues to look for extra lady players and junior girls will always be welcome to strengthen the two ladies' teams.