VICTORY smiles were back on the faces of Salisbury's men in the National Club League, when they notched up their third win from four matches, beating Downend and Fishponds in Bristol on Sunday.

Singles wins by Tom Williams, Lee Mahony and Nigel Watts, with Mahony and Watts teaming up for a doubles success, earned a welcome 4-2 triumph to lift morale after the recent heavy defeat by East Gloucester.

The powerful East Gloucester side are expected to top the division, but will be chased all the way if Salisbury win their one remaining match.

In other matches, Salis-bury teams have been hit by a triple whammy from Andover. First a very strong Andover side were too good for a youthful Salisbury B team in the men's Hampshire League. Then Salisbury A's failure to fulfil Sunday's Sarum League match at Andover cost a two-point deduction, quickly followed by an Andover B win over Salisbury B at Harnham.

It left the two Salisbury sides four points adrift at the foot of Division One.

Rita Hampson for Downton A and Nigel Jones for Riverside B played the leading roles at Wick Lane as their sides fought out a four-all draw in Division Two.

Each won with their partners in all four sets, a result that prevented Downton A regaining first place. Both sides have yet to lose a match.

Wellow B, who have not dropped a point in their first four matches, are close to overtaking St Leonards at the top of Division Three.

St Leonards suffered their first defeat when they were beaten at Wellow, then lost again, downed 5-3 at home by the rising Chalke Valley team.

Riverside's latest Apsley League outing brought a comfortable 8-0 win over Wellow B, who were handicapped by being a player short.