Billingshurst Men’s Second Team opened their Sussex League campaign for Summer 2017 encouragingly with a narrow 3-1 victory away against Lindfield First Team.

Rob Falkner and Sam Phillips began strongly with an emphatic 6-0, 6-2 win over the Lindfield 2nd pair, while Kevin Ballinger and David Mason were engaged in a more closely fought contest against the opposing first pair. Having recovered from 4-5 to take the first set 7-5, the Billingshurst duo were pegged back in the second set (3-6), only to re-assert themselves once more and kept their noses in front throughout the deciding Championship Tie Break which they seized by 10-6.

Despite trailing 0-2 after the first round, Lindfield remained determined opposition and Kevin and David, wearied from their first round efforts, were swept away 2-6, 0-6 in their second match. Rob and Sam were then taken the full distance by the Lindfield first pair before prevailing 6-3, 4-6, 10-8.  A favourable net cord on one of Rob’s forehand specials at 7-7 proved to be a decisive moment.

A local derby against Slinfold first team will be the next fixture on 7th May.