Competitive Team Tennis
At Orchard we play in a number of the local leagues, providing competitive play opportunities for all who wish to take part. One of the most popular leagues is the Summer Datchworth Mixed league where we enter 6 teams. Our 1st team play in the top Division and have won the league on a number of occasions. Our 6th team play in Division 9 and the rest of the teams are distributed thoughout the divisions, meaning we can offer competitive play for all abilities!
Details of all leagues are below. Please get in contact with James West (Club Captain, 07516 454816) if you would like to play competitively.
LADIES/MEN’S MATCH PRACTICE
These are turn up and play sessions. The aim is to get teams together to practise in a fun environment. The sessions generally consist of short doubles matches and drills. Sessions are open to any club members who wish to play competitive tennis.
These sessions take place on a Wednesday evening for the Ladies and on a Thursday evening for the Men.
TEAMS AND LEAGUES
Club teams play in a variety of different leagues throughout the year. Below are details of the different leagues, formats, number of teams and general playing times.
A friendly, competitive league played against other clubs in Hertfordshire. Teams consist of three players; one lady and two men. Three doubles matches are played to the best of 13 games (2 mixed and one men’s). Orchard currently have six teams in the Datchworth League in varying divisions. These matches take place on a Monday night from 18:00 in the Summer.
A competitive league played against other clubs in Hertfordshire. Teams consist of four players (Four Men or Four Women). Four doubles matches are played to the best of 3 sets (Third set being a championship tie break to 10 points). Orchard currently have two ladies team and two men’s team. These matches take place on the weekend from 12:00 and use two courts.
Team Tennis
A competitive league played against other clubs in Hertfordshire. Teams consist of up to eight players (Eight Men). Four singles and two doubles matches are played to the best of 3 sets (Third set being a championship tie break to 10 points). Orchard currently have one men’s team. These matches take place on the weekend from 12:00 and use all three courts.
A friendly, competitive league played from the beginning of September against other clubs in Hertfordshire. Teams consist of four players; two ladies and two men. Six doubles matches are played to the best of 13 games (4 mixed, one men’s and one ladies). Orchard currently have two teams in the Autumn Datchworth League in varying divisions. These matches take place on a Saturday afternoon from 12:00 and use two courts.
This is a competitive Mixed Doubles league played against other clubs in East Hertfordshire between October and April. Teams usually have 6 matches played over the Winter months. Teams consist of 4 players, two ladies and two men playing two mixed doubles matches to the best of three sets. Orchard currently has two teams in the East Herts League in various divisions. Matches are organised on Saturday or Sunday and use two courts.
Orchard Ladies Friendly League
This is a friendly local ladies doubles league run and organised by Sue Neville of Orchard LTC with each team playing four matches over the Summer period. Teams consist of 4 ladies playing 2 doubles matches, each of 2 short sets. Orchard currently has two teams entered in the Orchard Ladies Friendly League.
A competitive county-wide winter league played at weekends where men’s doubles and ladies doubles is played in set age groups. Minimum age to play is 40 for women and 45 for men. Teams consist of two pairs playing four standard sets in 6 matches from November to March. Orchard currently field two ladies teams in the Over 40 category and one men’s team in the Over 45 category.