JOHNSTON — The competition rose to meet the Marshalltown boys’ tennis team on Tuesday, and for only the second time this season, the Bobcats couldn’t match it.

The Class 2A No. 7 Marshalltown boys went down to the wire with Johnston but came up just short of scoring an eighth-straight win, instead falling 6-5 to the host Dragons.

The two teams split their six singles matches and Johnston (3-3) took the dual meet on the strength of its 3-2 doubles advantage.

Marshalltown got wins from its Nos. 1 and 3 doubles teams as Kevin and Jason Strand scored a contested but comfortable 7-5, 6-3 triumph in the top spot, and Ethan Benscoter and Nile Christensen notched a 7-5, 3-6, (10-4) victory at No. 3.

Johnston, however, won the other three doubles battles, including a thrilling three-setter at No. 4. The Dragons’ team of Campbell Love and Tate Larsen took down Justin Melde and John Loney in a nailbiter, 6-4, 5-7, (10-8).

Jason Strand, Benscoter and Gavin Jablonski each won singles matches for MHS.

The Bobcats remain on the road for Thursday’s clash against Ankeny.

Johnston 6, Marshalltown 5

Singles

Nicholas Launderville (JHN) def. Kevin Strand, 6-3, 6-4

Jason Strand (MHS) def. Tyler Barp, 6-1, 6-1

Inesh Gogineni (JHN) def. Nice Price, 3-6, 6-4, (10-5)

Ethan Benscoter (MHS) def. Tarun Srikaran, 6-1, 6-2

Caden Launderville (JHN) def. Drake Davis, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)

Gavin Jablonski (MHS) def. Campbell Love, 4-6, 6-0, (10-3)

Doubles

Strand and Strand (MHS) def. N. Launderville and Barp, 7-5, 6-3

Gogineni and C. Launderville (JHN) def. Price and Davis, 6-4, 6-4

Ethan Benscoter and Nile Christensen (MHS) def. Srikaran and Nathan Waters, 6-5, 3-6, (10-4)

Love and Tate Larsen (JHN) def. Justin Melde and John Loney, 6-4, 5-7, (10-8)

Dylan Kreps and Declan Schuessler (JHN) def. Drake Stalzer and Colin Schmit, 6-2, 6-3