Just as with the ladies, the Men’s team had new faces mixing in with some of the seasoned team players from previous years. The Men’s and Ladies teams are ever growing and the hope is to be able to enter two teams for the next summer season. 

The men got off to a good start but were narrowly beaten by an in form Bristol Uni team who had a mix of agile and cunning players. Buoyed by their first match the spirits were high going into the next three matches against Thornbury, Kings and Sodbury. These matches proved easier with the men coming home decisive winners, boosting confidence with some tactically sound doubles play. 

Dreams of promotion were firmly fixed in the sights of all league players this year but Writhlington and Bristol Uni would be the teams to beat to secure it. Both encounters with Writhlington and Bristol Uni were hard fought affairs in different ways. Bristol uni fielded some tactically excellent doubles with special mentions to Anthony and Paul, whereas Writhlington had big servers and a strong youth presence. 

Just as with the ladies the hopes of promotion came down to the last round of matches. A win against Writhlington would confirm promotion and under the glorious sunset and viaduct of Pensford tennis club victory was ours. The final matches were intense and nail biting but the men held their nerve, championed by Steve Bellamy and Dan Church who had become a formidable doubles partnership.

A special mention to Steve Bellamy who finished top male in the whole league, only losing two matches all season. He has produced some excellent tennis and his infectious enthusiasm for the game and learning as he went was unrivalled this year.

The men finished with three players inside the top 10, an excellent feat which they will try to replicate next season whilst on the hunt for three promotions in three years.