The team, made up of Ed Pudney, Tom Pudney, Marshall Tutu and Layne Gold beat Connaught Club 12-0 to ensure they would be going up.  And Ed Pudney, who skippers the side, was delighted with the success after just missing out last season.  “We narrowly missed out on promotion last year so we were determined to go one step further this year and get promoted,” said Pudney.  “I’m really pleased with everyone who played a part.

“It was a team effort.”

Thorpe Bay finished top of the Regional Open Men’s South East (North) standings after picking up 10 points from their five matches played.  During an incredibly impressive campaign, Thorpe Bay won 52 of their 60 rubbers and also lost just eight of the 60 sets they played.  The fine form saw them finish two points clear of second placed Welwyn with Connaught coming third and St. Johns fourth.

Thorpe Bay also won 86.7 per cent of the sets they played during a dominant season while they won 69 per cent of the games they were involved in too. The quartet won 342 games and lost 154 on their way to securing the title and a place in the top division next season.

(source) Echo Southend