KYLE Brassington continues to fly the flag for host club Ilkley in the British Tour.

The 32-year-old, who had to qualify, defeated Durham & Cleveland’s Matthew Hollingworth 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the men’s singles last night on one of the club’s indoor courts.

It was a feisty affair at times, and tournament director Brassington said: “I served really well.”

He was a set and 3-1 ahead but let his 18-year-old opponent back into the contest.

“I played a sloppy game then but he played a sloppy game at the end,” admitted Brassington, who now plays fellow Yorkshireman Matthew Clegg, who is seeded third, in the last 16.

Earlier in the day, Brassington had defeated Newcastle’s Will Gray, who was half his age, 6-2, 6-4 in the final qualifying round.

The former World Student Games representative, who is also the Ilkley club’s tennis performance director, broke serve in the third game due to the teenager’s errors and backed that up with another break in the fifth game.

Brassington again broke in the third game of the second set and held on to that advantage.

There was no joy, however, for Brassington’s fellow Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club member Thomas Horsley.

The 16-year-old from Addingham, who defeated Sergio Lee Gutierrez 6-1, 6-2 in the first round of qualifying and seventh seed Cameron Isbell 6-1, 6-3 in the second round, fell 6-2, 6-1 to Beverley’s Joshua Lazenby in the final qualifying round.

“I played much better against Isbell,” admitted Horsley afterwards.