SOUTHMINSTER Tennis Club’s newly-promoted mixed two team impressed in their first match of the year at Chelmsfordians.

Although it was a competitive match it was also friendly, although playing in light rain did not assist Southminster.

However, captain Caroline Timms (captain), playing with her regular partner Arthur Thurtle, easily beat their first pair 6-2, 6-2.

But this left them with a long delay between matches and that seemed to upset their momentum.

It resulted in them losing the next two sets 0-6, 4-6.

Southminster's other pairing of Dennis O’Mahoney and Anne Wodhams managed to gain one set over the strongest opposition pair, winning it 6-4 but then lost the next, 7-5.

Once more they fought strongly against the second pair but lost the first set 2-6 before winning the next one 7-6 on a tie-break 7-6, as the match ended in a draw.

Southminster's men’s second team was back on court this week, playing at home against Marconi’s second team.

Although the weather tried to intervene they managed to complete their second match of the year, albeit in drizzly damp conditions.

Southminster achieved their first win of the season but Marconi brought an extremely strong team and there was some excellent tennis on display from all the pairings on the night.

Southminster trailed 2-1 on sets after the first round but Brett Allan and Aidan Monk won all their sets 8-2.

There was an impressive effort by Steve Foster and Patrick Austen-Hardy who despite losing their first set 5-8, managed to overcome the disappointment and win the next two sets 8-2, 8-2 to help Southminster triumph.

It was a disappointing evening for Paul Webb and captain Andy Mottram who narrowly lost two sets 6-8 and were therefore unable to widen the winning margin.

Southminster's next match is on Thursday (May 19) at Grove.