CREDITON Tennis A team's unbeaten run finally came to an end on Sunday, June 7, as they travelled to a blustery Sidmouth and suffered their first defeat of the season.

Joe Cookson and Paul Reed made a slow start in their opening rubber, falling 1-3 behind against the big-serving 6ft 4in Kieron Garrett and his lively partner Gez Lovell.

However, the Crediton pair adapted well to the conditions and their opponents' pace, finding their rhythm to claim a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory.

Rich Wilk and Adam Haslewood were beaten 6-1, 6-4 by father-and-son pairing Robert and Felix Chatwin, whose seasoned partnership and all-round consistency proved decisive on the day.

The second round of rubbers saw Wilk and Haslewood edge a tight opening set against Garrett and Lovell but then collapse to a 0-6 second set. They found their groove again in the championship tie-break after that setback, and were level at 7-7 before a series of excellent rallies, with the wind playing havoc, swung the match Sidmouth’s way.

On the adjoining court, Cookson and Reed also lost the opening set quickly, 1-6, against the Chatwins. What followed was an epic second set.

Trailing 2-5, the Crediton pair dug deep to level at 6-6 and force a tie-break. Unfortunately, at crucial moments they tightened up, missing volleys they had been executing throughout the match and finding the net under pressure. Sidmouth took the tie-break and sealed a 6-3 victory overall.

Despite the defeat, Crediton returned home with a valuable three points from the trip. Having won their previous six matches, they remain firmly in contention at the right end of the table.

The result highlighted that Crediton are still able to collect points even when the squad rotates, with both untested partnerships stepping in and competing strongly throughout.

RETURN TO TOP OF TABLE WITH COMFORTABLE HOME WIN

Crediton A returned to the top of the table on Tuesday, June 9 with an 8-0 home win over David Lloyd.

In the opening rubber, Ed Poultney partnered returning Chris Ward, and the pair took the first set comfortably 6-1. Ward produced several athletic overhead smashes, repeatedly putting away chances at the net.

The second set was more competitive as the David Lloyd pairing raised their level, but the movement and consistency of Ward and Poultney proved too strong, closing it out 6-4.

In the second rubber, familiar partners Callum Duggan and Joe Cookson overcame Mike Hawkings and Gareth Weller 6-3, 6-2. The Crediton pair took time to find their rhythm, but were never seriously troubled, before stepping up a gear in the second set.

The reverse rubbers proved more competitive. Poultney and Ward faced a tight battle against Hawkings and Weller, who produced some excellent tennis, with Gareth Weller in particular showing superb touch at the net.

However, Poultney and Ward found themselves 4-5 down and 15-40, facing two set points, but weathered the storm and came through 6-4, 7-5.

On the other court, a strong serving performance from Joe Cookson combined with excellent deep baseline play from Callum Duggan secured a 6-3, 6-1 victory.

The 8-0 win sees Crediton A return to the top of the table, moving four points clear of Woodbury, with the two sides set to meet next.