BANBURY West End men's tennis team put themselves in pole position to earn a place in the final of the National Club League after recording their best result yet in the Premier Division yesterday with a 4-2 win at Edgbaston Priory.
In a match that began on Edgbaston's clay courts but was then moved to their indoor hall because of rain, West End recovered from the surprise of seeing their top-200 ranked Australian Grant Doyle lose in the opening singles.
He was beaten in straight sets by Colin Bennett. But No 2 David Sherwood, from Yorkshire, defeated Paul Hand of Berkshire, also in straight sets, to level it.
Iain Bates lost his singles rubber to Rhys Hanger, but Paul Maggs triumphed, leaving it 2-2 after the singles.
Banbury then proved too strong for their opponents in the doubles with both Doyle & Bates, and Sherwood & Maggs chalking up victories.
West End have now won all four Premier Division matches, following earlier victories over Royal Berkshire 6-0, Mackintosh (Cardiff) 4-3 on a tie-break decider, and Maidenhead 6-0.
And if the West Adderbury club can overcome Frinton in their final league match tomorrow - when they will have Wiltshire's Neil Watts back to strengthen the team - they will qualify for the final at The Hampshire Club, Southampton on Friday.
Story date: Tuesday 25 May
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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