An Isle of Man tennis team travelled to the grass courts of Eastbourne for the Over-35s County Cup recently.

The players produced some excellent performances and recorded several great wins throughout the weekend.

A special mention goes to Hannah Snidal who enjoyed her debut, having just qualified for this age group. The other members were Karen Faragher, Lucy Kerr, Kirree Ronan and Kathy Yamazaki.

The IoM took on Staffordshire on the first day. Yamazaki and Snidal played well in their singles in very warm conditions but weren’t able to overcome their opponents.

Faragher and Kerr won their first doubles match in a championship tie-break 6-2, 2-6 (10-4) but went down 4-6, 4-6 in their second.

Ronan and Snidal paired up to perform strongly but eventually lost 5-7, 2-6. Despite the overall result, a 4-1 win for Staffs, this was a good start for the islanders.

After a promising first day, the team remained the same against Northumberland on day two.

Yamazaki produced an epic shift in a long and gruelling singles match, which just went the way of the opposition 5-7, 4-6.

Snidal's singles also went Northumberland’s way 4-6, 0-6, but fortunes changed when both doubles pairs of Faragher/Kerr and Ronan/Snidal won, leaving the score at 2-2 going into the final doubles contest.

Faragher and Kerr went close in this decider but just missed out in the championship tie-break 3-6, 6-3, 5-10.

A disappointing end to the day but a superb effort from everyone and, more importantly, a really fun day of tennis.

Day three was set to be the most challenging as the Isle of Man took on Oxfordshire. Yamazaki enjoyed a well-earned rest, while Kerr and Snidal took on strong singles opponents and then paired up in the doubles.

Faragher and Ronan made up the other doubles pair and had some close sets, but ultimately the Oxfordshire team was too strong.

They ended the day with a 5-0 victory and, with that, gained promotion for next year.