Country Ashburton’s Sam Bubb in action during premier tennis action on Saturday.The hometown boys claimed bragging rights after completing their first premier win of the season.

Back in the thick of premier mens tennis for the first time in more than two decades, the Country Ashburton contingent prevailed four matches to two over Christchurch’s Elmwood club in Ashburton on Saturday.

Dual doubles wins proved to be the difference between the two clubs, as Ashburton bounced back from their opening round defeat to Cashmere a fortnight prior.

Jack Tiller and Sam Bubb, the former taking on his former club mates, combined to beat Sam Keenan and Aidan Watt in straight sets.

Across court and Cameron McCracken and Ben Smith prevailed over Benji McGillivray and Tom Batt 6-3, 6-4.

It was a scrap in the singles showdowns with Tiller falling to a 6-7, 3-6 defeat to Batt and McCracken going down 5-7, 3-6 to McGillivray.

However, Bubb and Smith sealed it for the Mid Cantabrians in their respective duels.

Smith put on a clinic out on centre court, hammering Watt 6-1, 6-1 while Bubb also enjoyed a dominant early foray to knock over Keenan 6-0, 6-4 as the hosts got home by two.

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 3 November 2020