IN perfect summer weather conditions for tennis, Tavistock Tennis Club’s B team put in a sterling performance to win 6-2 against Saltash.

First team club captain Phil Harbottle and Peter Bradley won both of their encounters in straight sets, the ancient guile of the former and the youthful athleticism of the latter proving more than a match for both pairs from Saltash.

Tavistock’s second team, after a shaky start, recovered to win their first match 6-4, 6-1. Once Bill Sparks overcame his nerves he played strongly, not only serving accurately to the backhand to set up volleyable winners, but also, when necessary, rallying and lobbing imperturbably from the baseline.

In their next match, however, the consistency of Saltash’s first pair was too much for the Tavistock second pair, who lacked the firepower to play aggressively, and the patience to play attritionally.