THE second evening’s play at the Weymouth Town Tournament opened up with easily the highest quality match so far in the men’s doubles group.

Clif Moreton and Clive Stow, aiming to bounce back from their narrow defeat the previous night, took on fancied youngsters Kieron Morrissey and Justin Smith.

An early break on Stow’s serve proved decisive in the first set as Smith’s classy groundstrokes and Morrissey’s steady play kept the more experienced Weymouth pair pinned back, Smith eventually closing out the set by running down a good Moreton drop shot and playing an exquisite counter across the net.

Moreton and Stow were playing well despite this and upped their level further in a second set of high quality tennis but the youngsters showed mental strength and edged a close tie-break to take the match.

Alan Cash and Peter Notley won a three-setter in the same event, starting sluggishly against the attacking serve and volley games of Weymouth stalwarts Paul Mason and Matthew Brook to lose the first set 6-4.

However, they eventually found their range in the breezy Greenhill conditions to run away with the next two, 6-2, 6-0.

Billy Blackmore and Bobby Whitely began their campaign with a convincing 6-0, 6-2 win against Chris and Matt Lawes in the same group.

Tournament organiser Rhose Lawes picked up her racquet for the first time and played faultlessly to overpower young Gemma Alcock, who did not really deserve the dreaded double bagel handed out after showing some patches of good play in some close deuce games.

In the men’s singles, young Chris Westhead staged a magnificent comeback as the sun set against Portlander Ed Evans, who had started the steadier by taking the first set with ease.

Westhead settled into the match by pummelling Evans with his powerful forehand attack and won all the crucial points to take a tense second set tiebreak.

Evans then benefited from a lull in Westhead’s concentration by snatching a 4-1 lead in the final set but Westhead’s fighting spirit and brave attacking shots helped him reel off four straight games to leave Evans stunned and take a deserved place in the next round.

There is still time to enter Saturday’s junior competitions, which start at Greenhill at 9.30am.

Voluntary help on the day would also be greatly appreciated by tournament organiser Rhose Lawes.

To enter the tournament or offer help, call her on 771997 or email rhose@hotmail.co.uk RESULTS Men’s singles: Chris Westhead bt Ed Evans 3-6, 7-6, 7-5.

Ladies’ singles: Rhose Lawes bt Gemma Alcock 6-0, 6-0.

Men’s doubles: Kieron Morrissey & Justin Smith bt Clif Moreton & Clive Stow 6-4, 7-6; Billy Blackmore & Bobby Whitely bt Chris Lawes & Matt Lawes 6-0, 6-2; Alan Cash & Peter Notley bt Matthew Brook & Paul Mason 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.

TONIGHT’S ORDER OF PLAY 6.30pm: Bobby Whitely & Billy Blackmore v Ed Evans & Jon Mason, Julien Lawes & Tom Legg v Paul Mason & Matthew Brook, Joy Hennessy & Mark Henman v Zoë Acutt & Kieron Morrissey.

7.30pm: Andy & Hugh Lawes v Alex Skidmore & Ben Skidmore; Julien Lawes & Tom Legg v Chris & Matt Lawes; Adam Fraser & Mark Henman v Dan Morgan & Dave Morgan; Chris Westhead v Kieron Morrissey.