An exciting boys’ tennis match between Pinecrest and Jack Britt suddenly became an ordeal after darkness forced the teams to finish up the third doubles at another location.

Both teams entered the match started at Pinecrest with Mid-Southeastern Conference records of 3-0. With the teams tied at 4-4 and Jack Britt leading the third doubles match 6-4, the lack of daylight made it difficult to keep score.

“You couldn’t tell whether shots were in or out,” said Pinecrest coach Gail Deese. “Tempers started to flare.”

Bradley Thwaites and Willie deGroot for the Patriots and Eric Jackson and Nick Nobisch of the Buccaneers finished their match at a park in downtown Southern Pines. Trailing at one point 5-2, the Patriot pair drew even at 6-6. The decisive point of the set and the match came after the pairs went to deuce five times.

The 8-6 win in the last doubles earned Jack Britt a 5-4 victory. Singles winners for Pinecrest were Tony Huntley, Thwaites and deGroot. The Daniel Hall and Huntley duo won its doubles match.

“It went down to the last nitty, gritty point,” Deese said. “We were fired up. It was a good, fun match. The two teams are evenly matched.”

Pinecrest travels to Westover for a 4 p.m. match on Tuesday.

Jack Britt 5, Pinecrest 4

Singles — Mike Pereira (JB) defeated Daniel Hall 6-0, 6-0; Tony Huntley (P) def. Phil Benson 6-2, 6-1; Bradley Thwaites (P) def. Heonanth Kunduru 6-3, 6-3; Stephen Manning (JB) def. Paul Kline 6-2, 6-2; Eric Jackson (JB) def. Jonathon Stone 6-3, 6-0; Willie deGroot (P) def. Nick Nobisch 6-1, 6-1.