AS the first match of the summer season was about to commence, Captain Sarah Statton was apprehensive, but why? writes Andrew Hamilton.

Launceston Ladies 'A' team consisted of Hayley Frayn, Ruth Cornish and Sue Parsons and as the match progressed the opposition had more to fear than the new captain!

Ruth and Sue quickly disposed of the second pair with a very convincing 6-1, 6-2 win. Whereas, Sarah and Hayley had a tussle, nearly every point had long rallies with exhaustion eventually determining the winner of the point. Unfortunately, Sarah and Hayley lost in a Championship Tie Break.

At the halfway point in the match Launceston 'A' where leading 3-2 and in order to secure the first victory of the season one of the pairs would have to win a match.

Sarah and Hayley blasted the second pair off the court 6-0, 6-1. Meanwhile Ruth and Sue used their experience to overcome the youthful first pair of Bodmin 'A' with some exquisite vollies. They eventually won the match in a very close Championship Tie Break.

Overall it was a very successful start to the season with Launceston 'A' beating Bodmin A 9-3 and there was no need for Sarah to be anxious.

Match Result: Bodmin 'A' First Pair beat Sarah and Hayley 6-2, 3-6, 1-0 (6). Ruth and Sue beat Bodmin 'A' Second Pair 6-1, 6-2. Sarah and Hayley beat Bodmin 'A' Second Pair 6-0, 6-1. Ruth and Sue beat Bodmin 'A' First Pair 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (8).

On Wednesday April 22 Launceston Ladies 'B' team were home to Veryan.

Although the team lost their first game of the season 4-7 it was a good display from Suzanne Cole, Hilary Rhodes, Tamsin Worth and Jenny Worth.

The 1st pair, Jenny and Tamsin Worth put up a strong display against Veryan 1st pair. Although losing the first set, they won the game with a thrilling tie break 11-9. They then went on to beat the 2nd pair in another close match winning 7-5 and 7-6.

Suzanne Cole and Hilary Rhodes made up the second pair and played some good tennis but couldn't beat Veryan who won 6-2 and 6-1 in the first pair and 6-1, 6-1 in the second pair.

Some good promising tennis was played.