Tackleway B went down 7-3 against Bexhillians D who were fielding their star signing Matthew Haynes, whose dominance proved decisive for the opposition. The ex-Dorset county player who hails from Bournemouth has taken the local league by storm this year with his loaded top-spin and smash style delivered with effortless precision on both wings. That said Roy Funnell (Tackleway) made him think as he trashed the script and flat smashed through the Haynes spin to take the first leg 12-10. He went on to lead the third set but failed to capitalise going down to 9 before the Bexhillian ran away with the 4th set. Roy did have an excellent night all round by going on to beat talented teenagers Oli Matthews and Leon Hyde (Bexhillians) in 4 and 5 sets respectively. Once again it was Roy's super quick close-net smashes that saw him prevail despite many attacks coming his way. Other notable games were Leon Hyde’s demolition of Mike Funnell (Tackleway) where, after a close first leg, he left the veteran floundering with fabulous fluid attack on both wings to no reply.
This hugely improved young Leon went on to score a brace by comfortably outgunning combination rubbers specialist Roger Pingram (Tackleway) in straight sets as well.  Roger had a much closer encounter with Oli Matthews which was tit for tat all the way to the fifth before Oli produced a flurry of lovely forehands to take it 11-6. Mike Funnell, giving away 50 years or more, managed to halt his progress though countering, blocking and smashing to snatch three close but straight sets against Oli.

Written by: Michael Funnell