Dawlish Lawn Tennis Club's men's A team suffered a double defeat at the hands of Torquay Lawn Tennis Club's top side, although it was not all disappointment, with captain Matthew West more than happy with the four points picked up against arguably the league's top side.In the home tie, Dawlish's West, partnering Peter Elver, and Ricki Foster partnering Robert Elver, could count themselves a little unlucky to have not picked up more than three points in an 8-3 defeat after taking three of the four matches to a deciding championship tiebreak, only to lose all three.The return fixture was always going to be a difficult test.Playing on an unfamiliar artificial grass surface, and without the experienced Peter Elver and Foster, Dawlish knew they were up against it. The loss of Elver and Foster gave an opportunity for youngsters Chris Revell and Alec Bates to step up and gain valuable experience, playing against a much higher standard of opponent than they are used to. 'Unfortunately, the power and accuracey of the academy-based players did prove too much for the boys, although they certainly enjoyed the challenge,' said West.Torquay's Tom Vallance, partnering Josh Rees, and Dan Sidaway, partnering Dan Pethig, recorded comfortable 6-0 6-1 and 6-1 6-2 wins respectively.A big boost for the Dawlish team, however, was the form of West, who produced one of his best doubles performances in recent years, matching the powerful forehand and backhands of Pethig and Sidaway stroke for stroke, while combining this with great touch and control at net. West was admirably backed up by Robert Elver in what was a pairing that worked well considering both are left-handers.The Dawlish pair took a little time to get used to the fast surface although, in fairness, the ability of their opponents was clearly the major issue rather than the court surface. Trailing 2-5 in the opening set, Dawlish dug deep and managed to pull themselves back in the match. After a vital break at 4-5 they went on to take a 6-5 lead. Some fine returning from the Torquay pair enabled them to break Elver's serve to move the set to a first-to-seven tie-beak, as opposed to a championship tie-break which is first to ten. Again West and Elver fell behind 3-6 leaving the Torquay pair with three set points. Under some pressure Dawlish's concentration remained focused, saving all three set points before moving to 7-6 up. Dawlish then seized their opportunity and took the set, securing a valuable point. The second set proved equally tight but it was the Torquay pair who took it 6-4 before eventually closing out the championship tie-break.In the final match, Torquay's Rees and Vallance showed great composure to close out a fine 6-3 6-3 win against West and Elver. West was clearly upbeat with his side's effort.'Credit should be given to Torquay, whose academy has produced a string of top players but, saying that, I am really pleased with my guys,' he said.'We keep picking up points against the top sides which puts us in a great position to achieve our main aim, which is retain our status as a division one side.' Dawlish's next test is away at Exeter Golf and County Club, when Exeter will be seeking revenge for last month's 5-4 defeat.