Only a countback of sets won could separate St Boswells I and Duns I in the semi-final of the Winter League on Sunday.
With both sides fielding strong teams it was always likely to be a close and hard-fought match for a place in the final.
Eventually, it was the visitors from Berwickshire that claimed the final spot following a thoroughly entertaining, enjoyable and friendly afternoon of tennis.
In distinctly wintery conditions, the first two ties were halved. Duns pair Chris Jackson and Judith Dixon beat home couple Toni Lemmon and Lynn Bruce 7-6 3-6, and the Villagers’ Simon Blair and Adam Drummond overcame Andrew Plenderleith and James Collin in a deciding match tiebreak 7-5 6-7 10-6.
With the match coming down to the mixed doubles, Lemmon and Blair secured a great win over Jackson and Plenderleith, also in a match tiebreak, 7-5 4-6 10-6.
But Bruce and Drummond, despite having two opportunities to serve for the second set, failed to turn over Dixon and Collin, going down 4-6 6-7 in another close match.
With proceedings tied 2-2 on rubbers the countback on sets went in favour of Duns 6-4.