Vital win for Horsham

A 16 point haul came in difficult on-court conditions at Littlehampton, where the outside temperature was minus five degrees, as Horsham narrowly won 3-2.

After four successive victories, Peter McLaren was promoted to first string, and he delivered win number five, albeit after a hesitant start as he came through 3-1.

Chris Moon then followed that up with a 3-1 win at fifth string, thanks to his inimitable playing style.

And the match points were sealed when Ahmet made short work of his fourth string opposition, while an unwell Steve Bowers was over-powered in a 3-0 defeat at third string.

But with a 3-1 advantage to Horsham, the pressure was off the final match of the night, and it turned into an entertaining contest as stand-in skipper John Barnbrook was edged out 3-2.

Both players favoured drop shots.

It was a see saw with John going 1-0 up, then losing the next two before making it 2-2 in the fourth.

In the end, local experience of the cold climate won out and John lost 2-3.

Elsewhere in the Sussex Leagues, Horsham’s first team are second in the Premier Division, while their second team sit just three points behind Bluecoat Sports’ first team in Division 2 West.