DEFENDING champions Martyn Isherwood and Mike Prince came through a tough competition to retain their Basingstoke and District Tennis League men’s veterans doubles title.

A total of 10 pairs entered the event at Preston Candover and were split into two groups for a round-robin stage. Isherwood/Prince won their group, dropping just one game over the course of four matches.

Kingsclere pair Chris Pearce and Paul Rattue joined them in the semi-finals after finishing second, while Group Two was won by Malcolm McPhail and Perveez Mirza, who edged out Dan Cole and Steve Mills.

Isherwood/Prince took on Cole/Mills in the first semi, with the defending champions winning 6-1, while Pearce/Rattue took a close semi-final 6-4 over McPhail/Mirza.

The final was also fairly close, with just one break of serve separating the sides, but Isherwood/Prince saw off Pearce/Rattue 6-4 to retain their title.

Tim Rice and Rex Groves from Totally Tennis won the plate event, beating Hook’s Andy Small and Laurence Whitehouse in the final.