Broncos doubled up by Oakers
Coventry claims No. 2 doubles match to secure D-III win
COVENTRY — With just one week remaining in the regular season, Burrillville’s showdown with Coventry served as a preview for a potential playoff matchup between two of the better teams in Division III.
In a long, drawn-out affair that nearly lasted until sunset, Coventry used a comeback victory from its No. 2 doubles team to defeat the visiting Broncos, 4-2.
Burrillville top singles player Amara D’Antuono prevailed in straight sets over Zach Hammer, 6-2, 6-2. Down 5 -0 in the second, Hammer began to mount a comeback, but the deficit was too much in the end for him to overcome.
In the No. 2 singles match, Hammer’s brother, Evan, was having his own troubles against Burrillville’s Sheridan Tupper. The Broncos’ second singles player claimed the opening set 6-2 before edging out Hammer 7-3 in a second set tiebreaker, giving the visitors wins in each of the top two singles slots.
The Oakers drew even at 2 with wins at fourth singles and first doubles. Jacob Fernandes had the home team’s most efficient win, knocking off Matt Wilson, 6-3, 6-4 to secure the Oakers’ first point of the day.
At first doubles, Tim Silva and Abby Harbeck claimed the first set 6-3, but Jessica Rogers and Marie Plouffe rallied back by breaking Harbeck’s serve in the final game for a 6-3 win of their own in the second. The home team saved their best for last however, as they came away with a resounding 6-0 win in the third, giving the Oakers a much needed point in the overall match, evening the score 2-2.
Kyle Wheeler gave the home team a 3-2 lead with a win at third singles over Ben Hayden, before Coventry’s No. 2 doubles team battled back to secure the win.
The Broncos will be back in action next Tuesday when they host undefeated Tiverton, while the Oakers will travel to Toll Gate the same day to take on the Titans.