Belvoir Vale Men's 1st Team Clinch promotion to Div 2.

Following a heartbreakingly narrow miss at the end of the 2024 season, losing a promotion-deciding tie-break to Stoney Stanton, the men’s first team entered the 2025 campaign with determination.

Despite a tough opening loss to Leicestershire (5-4), the team rallied and secured a string of narrow victories. A pivotal moment came mid-season against Ashby Castle, where we were match point down in the final rubber but they managed to overturned the deficit to win the tie-break and the match.

With just four matches remaining, the promotion race intensified, with five teams in contention. Belvoir Vale rose to the challenge. Jamie Wallace and Ben Cullen clinched a decisive tie-break win over Oakham, followed by more crucial wins from Olly Thomas and Wallace against Carisbrooke, and Andy Isaac with Wallace against Leicester Forest East’s first pair.

As the season neared its end, Ashby Castle had completed their fixtures with 69 points. Belvoir Vale, on 64 points with one match remaining against Newton Linford, needed at least five set wins to overtake them.

Jamie Wallace and Olly Thomas opened with a 6-0 win. Andy Isaac and Ben Wallace followed suit, as did Tom Rowe and Mark Blackburn, a great start. The momentum continued into the second round with dominant wins of 6-3, 6-1, and 6-1 respectively. With promotion secured, the final round became a celebration.

The team finished the season with an 8-1 victory and topped the table with 74 points.

Not only has this team got a great spirit but also strength in depth after a season that knocked out a few of the regular players with injuries and non availability: Nigel Daniels, Steve Wallace, Ben Cullen, Richard Surtees. Two of our players, Tom Rowe and Mark Blackburn topped the averages for best players with Tom winning 24 out of 24 sets, notably, Tom Rowe and Mark Blackburn led the club’s averages, with Rowe completing a flawless season, winning all 24 sets he played.

Celebrations included a well-earned visit to the Bradgate Inn, with pints of local Tiger Ale flowing freely.

From a near miss in 2024 to champions in 2025. This is the first time in BVTC's history that they have played in the Leicestershire Division 2. They will be setting their sights on Div 1 next season!

Well done to everyone who played throughout the season.