Sphynx are on the up
THE penultimate week of the Southport Tennis League produce excitement from every division.
More promotions and relegations were confirmed. However, some are still yet to be sorted as further twists have developed.
Sphynx’s second team will be joining their first team in the first division, after they defeated Southbank 10-6 in what was a nerve-wracking encounter.
As for leaders Ormskirk, off-season celebrations must have been on their mind as they recorded their first loss of the season against Mawdesley 9-7.
Despite collecting a vital point in their 8-8 draw with Birkdale 2, relegation is a still a possibility for Ormskirk 2. Sadly for North Meols 2, their run was over as a 13-3 loss to Aughton sealed relegation to the third division. Replacing them will be Formby. A 10-6 victory over relegation threatened Mawdesley 2 secured promotion with one game remaining.
Ormskirk 3 currently reside in the second promotion spot. But an 8-8 draw with Formby Holy Trinity 2 put their celebrations on halt for another week.
The only team that can mathematically over-turn that outcome is David Lloyd, after they defeated Carlton 15-1 in what was an ill-tempered performance by the victors. Also winning were Hillside. Their important 9-7 win against bottom side Argyle 2 has all but confirmed safety from relegation.
A draw was enough for new division eight leaders Sphynx 4 over Mawdesley 5 to confirm promotion and make life easy in their final match of the season.
The race for the second promotion spot can still be realistically taken by three teams. It is being currently lead by Hillside 3.
Their 11-5 loss Formby 4 saw them lose their lead at the top of the table.
Another loss would be an unfortunate way to miss out on promotion.
One point behind them is Birkdale 4 after their 10-6 win over bottom side Hillside 4.
In the battle for survival, Argyle 4 kept their hopes alive after trumping nearest rivals North Meols 6 by beating them 10-6.
Another win may be enough to escape relegation on the final week.
Carlton ended their three-game winless run by finally collecting another promotion as they saw off Argyle’s third team 12-4.
For leaders of division five Sphynx 3, they extended their unbeaten run after producing a firm 13-3 win over a Hoole side that could be relegated next week.
Hoping that that would happen is Birkdale 3.
Despite their 11-5 defeat to Formby 2, another loss for Hoole will make them avoid the drop to the sixth division.
Meanwhile, fourth beat third as Formby Holy Trinity 3 comfortably saw off Mawdesley’s third team 14-2.
North Meols’ fourth team produced their best performance of the season to confirm promotion from division seven. They managed top topple division leaders Mawdesley 4 and defeated them 10-6.
That erased any chance of Formby 3 joining Mawdesley, despite the third place side coming through Formby Holy Trinity’s fifth team 10-6.
At the opposite end of the table, Southbank 3 suffered an undeserved 9-7 loss to Carlton 4.
That result has put them into the last chance saloon and relegation is one game away.
A draw may be enough as nearest rivals Ormskirk 6 had a surprise 11-5 defeat to the already relegated North Meols 5.
Croston’s second team have given themselves a fighting chance of promotion as they defeated second place side Aughton 2 with an 11.5-4.5 victory.
However with Aughton still having a safe gap from their nearest rivals, a draw will be enough to join leaders Hillside 2.
As for the new sixth division champions, they ousted Town Green 11-5.
That loss for Town Green, means Ormskirk 5 have avoided being relegated for another week despite their tough 10-6 loss to Southbank 2.
Also victorious was mid-table side Formby Holy Trinity 4 who brushed aside Blundellsands’ third team 14-2.
While first division leaders Sphynx recorded their thirteenth win of the season, they also condemned Croston to relegation in their 16-0 win.
That result cued celebrations for Argyle as they would be playing first division tennis again after their impressive 8-8 draw with third place side Campion.
Birkdale confirmed their second place finish, despite struggling to a 9-7 win over the already relegated Blundellsands.
Elsewhere, North Meols gave themselves a chance in next week’s final matches of a top-half finish after they took down Formby Holy Trinity 13-3.
Rainford and Campion 3 both confirmed promotion from the ninth division after wins over Hillside 5 and Birkdale 5 respectively.
Missing out is third place side Hightown 2, despite producing a dominant 14-2 win over Mawdesley 6.
Fourth division leaders Campion 2 ended their season with a result that could cost them the division title.
Their 16-0 loss to Waterloo not only confirmed promotion for their opponents, Campion have a bye week in the final round of matches.
A win for Waterloo this week will see them snatch the division title out of Campion’s hands.
Elsewhere, Blundellsands’ second team firmly took down North Meols’ third team 12-4.
To find the rest of the results and latest league tables, check out www.southporttenisleague.org.uk for further information.