Ladders - Click on the relevant link for quick access:

Current singles ladder positions

Singles matches played to date

General information and rules

Magic Challenges

23/24 and 24/25 singles events

Photos

Doubles ladder

Current singles positions:

Singles matches played

in matches underlined, the winner moved up the ladder.

We revived the club's singles ladder in autumn 2023.

The initial group of members were placed on the "Ladder", in a random order drawn by Fatima Whitbread and David on Sunday 17th. September.

General rules for challenges & playing matches

Any current ladder player may challenge any other player up to 4 places above. 

The challenge must be accepted and the match played within 2 weeks, or the challenger will be deemed the winner and the challenge expunged.  Should a player withdraw from an agreed challenge, the challenger shall be given a walkover, along with any associated changes to the ladder positions.

The winner of each match will take the place of the loser, if the loser was higher on the ladder, with the loser moving down one rung.  If not, the players remain in their same positions.   (Rule updated October 2025).

At any time, players can have only one live challenge match in progress.

No-one can challenge the same player more than twice within any 4 week period. 

Matches will be one long set only, first to 8 games by 2 clear games, with a tie-break at 8-8 if required.  (So someone could win 9-7 without going to a tie-break).

New entrants that want to join for the first time will be given one initial "magic challenge" to enable them to challenge in at a suitable level (advice on this can be given).  If they win they take the place of the loser (as above); if they lose, they join the ladder at the bottom.  A new joiner won't appear on the ladder until they play their first match.  (Rule updated October 2025).

All members must be prepared to play regularly and ideally at least once every 2 weeks, or lose their position.

The ladder board is displayed in the hut, and it is the responsibility of the challenge winner to update any positional changes as soon as the match is completed. It would help if the winner could also take a photo of the board after the update and share via the WhatsApp group (or email). In that way we should have good "point in time backups" should we need them. 

At this point in time, there is no requirement to record the match scores, although it would be good to share details of proposed challenges and results with other members (via email or ladder WhatsApp groups). 

Except where stated above, usual rules of tennis apply.

Any queries or disputes over the rules should be directed to the ladder organiser (David B) or his assistant (John Bright), whose decisions will be final.

Magic Challenges

From time to time we have a Magic Challenge Month, most recently October 2025 and previously June 2025.

At these times, every player in the ladder has UNLIMITED magic challenges for the month, where they can challenge anyone on the ladder, with no restriction on the number of places above.

However, only one active challenge is allowed at a time, and you can only challenge the same person once under a magic challenge.
Should the challenge be successful, then the winner takes the loser’s position in the ladder with the loser dropping directly below them - not swapping places. (Please ensure you update the ladder in the clubhouse when doing this). 7 days must pass before challenging back after a loss, in order to allow another challenger to try their luck.
All magic challenges MUST be recorded before played and the result recorded on the ladder WhatsApp group to be considered valid.
Please try and play challenges as quickly as possible - aim to complete within 10 days max.  If you can’t complete and have to concede, it’s only 1 place after all.

Summary of 23/24 and 24/25 events:

On April 7th. 2024, the top 4 players were decided.  Number 1 (David)  played Number 4 (Rob), and Number 2 (Chris) played Number 3 (Adrian) in the two-semi-finals in early April.  The two semi-final winners (Rob & Chris) met in a grand final on 26th April.  Rob was the ladder champion for 2024.

Special rules came into force for the conclusion of the 24/25 competition.

From close of play on 16th March 2025, the four players on the top 4 places of the ladder were not able to challenge each other, but were obliged to accept one last challenge from eligible players (those within 4 places) who are outside of the top four. The challenging "up to four places above" rule still applied.  If the challenger won, they would take the place in the top 4 - however in this situation the loser could challenge them back within 7 days to try and regain their place. 

On 7th April, the top 4 players were decided. 

Number 2 (Chris) prevailed 9-7 against Number 3 (Luke) in a very close match in the first semi-final.  On 22nd April Number 1 (Rob) beat Number 4 (Simon).  The two semi-final winners played in a grand final on 2nd May.  A very high-quality match, watched by a big crowd - Chris went a break up to get a 5-3 lead, but Rob recovered to win the last 5 games and prevail 8-5.  Photos below.  A new ladder year now commences, to find the champion for 2025-26.  Rob is the ladder champion for 2024/25.  

As before, the ladder competition will continue to roll on throughout the year in parallel with the club's summer tournaments, with the aim being for a champion to be crowned on the 1st May every subsequent year.  Should there be deemed to be any conflicts with the summer tournament games then ladder matches should be deferred as necessary. 

Good luck!

Doubles Ladder- due to start in January 2026 - watch this space!

The new doubles ladder will start on 1st January 2026, and details will appear here soon.

Most of the rules will be very similar to the singles rules, but there are some necessary modifications for the doubles format.

1. Partners are self-chosen and can be single sex or mixed (all play in same ladder)
2. If you do not have a partner and wish to participate, please message the club and you will be put in a hat and paired.
3. All entrants to be submitted to club email by 15th December 2025.
4. Ladder position will be deemed by hat draw and communicated prior to Christmas (A Magic Challenge will be held early in 2026)
5. Challenges can be arranged to be played from 1st January 2026
6. Matches are the best of 3 sets (Championship tie break to 10 if a third set is played)
7. Any current ladder pair may challenge another pair up to 4 places above them.
8. The challenge must be accepted, and the match played within 2 weeks, or the challenger will be deemed the winner and the challenge expunged. Should a pair withdraw from an agreed challenge, the challengers shall be given a walkover, along with associated changes to the ladder positions.
9. The winners of each match will take the place of the loser, if the loser was higher on the ladder, with the loser moving down one rung. If not, then the pairs remain in the same position.
10. At any time, players can only have one live doubles challenge match in progress.
11. No-one can challenge the same player more than twice within a 4-week period.
12. A partner change at any point gets a 4-place ladder relegation.
13. New entrants who join for the first-time part way through the year will be given one initial ‘magic challenge’ to enable them to challenge at a suitable level. If they win, they take the place of the loser (as above); if they lose, they join the ladder at the bottom. A new pair will only appear on the ladder once they have played their first match.
14. All members must be prepared to play regularly.
15. All challenges and results must be communicated to the organiser (Bruce) via WhatsApp or email.
16. Semi Finals and the Final will be played during November and December so a winning pair can be crowned Doubles Ladder Champions annually.
17. Doubles ladder will be displayed in the clubhouse, on the website and via a new Doubles Ladder WhatsApp group.

Magic Challenges

These will be at the organiser’s discretion during the calendar year.

At these times, every pair has UNLIMITED magic challenges for the month, where they can challenge any other pairs on the ladder with no restriction on the number of places above. Please refer to the Magic Challenge rules for the Singles Ladder on the website.