THE Devon over-60s fought back from 3-1 down to defeat Dorset's second's 9-3 in their opening match in the inter-county veterans' championships at Bournemouth.

Alan Willey came in for Ringswell clubmate John Edwards, but the men found it hard going.

The ladies, with Ringswell's Jenny Edwards and Otter Vale's Anne Price in the team, swept to victory in all four doubles.

The two Exeter league players were on top form and Edwards and Price completed a clean sweep with victory over Wendy Buckland and Judith Ansell 28-26, 21-14.

In the mixed doubles, Willey and Price teamed up to beat Roger Wilcox and Jean Gerrard 21-13, 21-11, with Edwards and Mike Skinner (St Leonards) coming back from a game down to defeat Alan Wood and Ansell 9-21, 21-16, 26-24.

"Jenny (Edwards) certainly got her money's worth," said teammate Margaret Banyard.

On Sunday, Mike Finch (Ringswell) and the Devon over-65s play Gloucester at the Acorn Centre at Torquay (1pm), while Sidmouth's Chris Bird and Simon Heusen travel with the over-40s, who play Avon's seconds at Clevedon.