Both Banchory couples took to the court together, with Audrey Donaldson and Margaret Wilson taking on the powerful Westhill pairing of Michelle and Vicki Paterson.

The Banchory pair took a while to adjust to the exposed Westhill courts and made little impact in the first set against the hard-hitting Paterson sisters, losing 6-2.

In the second, Donaldson and Wilson tried gamely to stay with their opponents but could not make any headway, and lost the set 6-3.

On the opposing court, Banchory's Zara Coutts and Lynsey Young took on Westhill's second pairing of Natasha Hird and Katrina Waddle.

The first set was a scrappy affair, but it was Hird and Waddle who were the steadier and managed to take the first set for Westhill 6-1.

The second set saw Coutts and Young up their game considerably and they took the set 6-3 for Banchory. In the deciding third set, Coutts and Young lost their way and allowed Hird and Waddle back into the match.

Try as they might, Coutts and Young could not re-find their fine form and disappointingly lost the set 6-4, meaning Westhill took a 2-0 lead into the final round of matches.

Making amends for their loss against the Patersons, Donaldson and Wilson played much better in their second match against Hird and Waddle.

The Banchory couple were able to record a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 victory for Banchory, with their win meaning that a victory for Coutts and Young against the hard-hitting Paterson sisters would give Banchory a much sought after draw.

Indeed, Coutts and Young started well against the daunting Westhill couple, playing good-quality tennis to take the first set 6-3.

In a tight second set, a single break of serve proved the difference in the ninth game, with Westhill sneaking the set 6-4, meaning another third set decider beckoned for Banchory.

For most of the set, it looked like Banchory would finally win that second point of the season, with Coutts and Young profiting from a number of unforced errors by the Westhill pair, while also playing some strong tennis themselves.

The Banchory pair raced to a 4-1 lead in the final set but again, somehow, Coutts and Young allowed the Patersons to claw their way back to 4-4 and agonisingly for Banchory, Westhill were able to see out the rest of the set to take it 6-4, ensuring a 3-1 overall victory for the home side.

While it was yet another close contest ending with a disappointing defeat for Banchory, the team continues to take positives from each match and is becoming more comfortable playing in Division I.

Banchory A will host Stonehaven A in their next encounter, which should be another tight affair.

The Ladies' B team continues its valiant effort to claim a point in Division 1. Credit must go to all the players involved who are playing teams well above the standard they are used to and still manage to enjoy the games, despite the frustrations.

This week they were at home to Cults A, traditionally the winners of Division 1. Irene Miller and Hilary Cowe started proceedings for Banchory against Cults' first pair, Liz Hatton and Katie Christiansen. The final score had the Banchory pair losing 6-0, 6-1 but the score belied some close games, with Miller and Cowe leading 40-30 in a couple of games but unable to convert.

Miller and Cowe were nothing if not consistent in the next rubber, which they also lost 6-0, 6-1 to Judith Farquharson and Sharon McGarrity.

Meanwhile, Susan Leith and Patience Barton also suffered defeat at the hands of Hatton and Christiansen, again losing 6-0, 6-1.

But in a final flourish to finish the evening, Leith and Barton increased their tally in the last rubber of the match losing to Farquharson and McGarrity by the slightly closer score of 6-0, 6-2!

All four home players enjoyed the games which were played in the friendliest of atmospheres, and happily admitted that the Cults players were just too good for them!

Next week, the B team face the equally daunting prospect of playing Rubislaw's A team, but are looking forward to the challenge.

In the NESTLA leagues, the two teams languish in the last two places in Division 1, the A team with its single point nudging ahead of the B team in last place.