The rematch wasn’t nearly as epic from a time standpoint, but it was closer than the first time around.

The Class 2A No. 7 Marshalltown boys’ tennis team tallied a 7-4 victory over Mason City on Thursday in a rematch of their showdown two weeks ago that was delayed by damp conditions and lasted until nearly midnight.

On a perfect spring evening, the Bobcats nearly finished off the CIML dual meet before doubles play began, but the visiting Mohawks (4-2) weren’t about to waste a trip. Mason City survived the singles competition with only one win but made as much as it could out of doubles play, winning three of five bouts to narrow the gap.

Marshalltown (8-1) defeated the Mohawks 8-3 in their first meeting.

In the rematch, the Bobcats came close to taking care of business in singles action. Kevin Strand, Jason Strand, Nic Price, Ethan Benscoter and Gavin Jablonski earned straight-set victories, while Drake Davis was upended 6-4, 6-3, by Zach Mulholland at No. 5.

Jablonski’s 6-2, 6-2 victory over Jackson Wickman was his first varsity singles win.

Mason City made the final score more interesting by taking the top three doubles bouts, including a three-setter at No. 1 as James Matthews and Caden Rodning captured a 6-3, 4-6, (10-7) triumph over the Strand brothers.

Marshalltown finished the job with wins at Nos. 4 and 5 doubles, as John Loney and Justin Melde made quick work of Lane Kruger and Rylan Kuhn, 6-0, 6-2, and Drake Stalzer and Colin Schmit swept aside Benjamin Lorence and Aidan Thompson, 6-0, 6-2.

The Bobcats are back in action Tuesday with a dual meet at Johnston.

Marshalltown 7, Mason City 4

Singles

Kevin Strand (MHS) def. James Matthews, 6-4, 6-2

Jason Strand (MHS) def. Caden Rodning, 6-4, 6-0

Nic Price (MHS) def. Reed Kruger, 6-2, 6-0

Ethan Benscoter (MHS) def. Justin Yarahmadi, 6-2, 7-6

Zach Mulholland (MC) def. Drake Davis, 6-4, 6-3

Gavin Jablonski (MHS) def. Jackson Wickman, 6-2, 6-2

Doubles

Matthews and Rodning (MC) def. Strand and Strand, 6-3, 4-6, (10-7)

Kruger and Yarahmadi (MC) def. Price and Davis, 6-4, 6-4

Mulholland and Wickman (MC) def. Benscoter and Nile Christensen, 6-4, 6-4

Justin Melde and John Loney (MHS) def. Lane Kruger and Rylan Kuhn, 6-0, 6-2

Drake Stalzer and Colin Schmit (MHS) def. Benjamin Lorence and Aidan Thompson, 6-0, 6-2