PLAYED two, won two, hardly constitutes "on a roll" but when the Division Two teams in that position, Astley and Walmersley B, met last week the match looked likely to have long-term significance.

The match came down to youth against experience. Astley's Westmoreland minor played well as did his young team mates, Louise Taylor, oozing promise and displaying solidly stylish shots on both wings and Hannah Wilson already noted this season for her on-court ferocity.

Westmoreland mega-major added valuable support. Predictably, however, Walmersley's experience prevailed. Mrs Hardman's consistent hitting and no-nonsense volleying were mirrored in the skills of Jill Ashworth who added her own subtle spins and in her never-say-die scrambling, a clear willingness to put the team before personal safety.

Add Gavin's inventive, under-stated play and the burgeoning talents of Mark, red-haired and possessed of a searing backhand, and you have a formidable side.

Walkers A are also going well under Karen Kay's determined leadership. Without Messrs Parkinson and Haslam from last year they might have struggled but the close-season capture of Anthony Loftus has filled the gap well.

Loftus, with an effortlessly powerful "leftie" serve, nicely supplement the lace work skills of Julie Holmes. Walkers held off a strong challenge from Monton for whom Elaine Shaw did well. What a good all-court player she is.

After a poor start, Holcombe Brook B are announcing their presence in Division Three no little due to the return of the mercurial Ian Berry whose partnership with Julie Bannister put opponents Guild Hall well under the cosh.

Bev Gerega and Steve Goddard also did well. Largely out-gunned, Guild Hall relied for a won set on the upwardly and horizontally mobile Chris Parkinson-Silk and her Hall of Fame partner, local tennis diva La Hutch.

Jean Wilson was also in good form for HRM A, her jet-propelled court coverage drawing post-match praise from her Markland Hill B opponents. HRM also welcomed back Duncan McDermott from wherever he's been hermitting while Lisa Gorse and captain Stuart Hunt provided their usual yeoman support.

Markland Hill's poor luck in losing tight games last year seems to be continuing.

Team captains are reminded of the request to have their team's money ready on arrival to assist collection and to collect the balls after the match.