Champions show no mercy to stablemates

SPHYNX’S defence of their first division crown began in the best possible way with a 16-0 win over their own second team in week one of the

Southport and District Tennis League.

After what was a near perfect 2021 campaign, Sphynx were determined to go one better and further prove that they are the best team in the league. With little threat coming from their second team, it was an ideal start for Sphynx’s first team.

It was a tougher opening contest for Ormskirk. Last season’s runners-up battled past Mawdesley 11-5. With both sides finishing in the top three last season, this result should give Ormskirk the confidence in putting in a genuine threat to claiming the first division title.

There were also wins in the first division for Aughton and North Meols against Birkdale and the newly promoted Formby Village respectively.

The second division saw opening week defeats for both sides who were relegated from the first division last year in the form of Blundellsands and Croston. While the former suffered a narrow 9-7 defeat against Hillside, the latter was comfortably seen off by North Meols’ second team.

It has been a tough off-season for Argyle. With them losing a team, this prestigious club is now down to just three teams.

However, their first team have managed to give the club some good news with a well fought 9-6 win at Waterloo. Elsewhere, it was a battle of the two promoted sides. Coming out victorious was last season’s third division champions Formby as came through a titanic tussle with Ormskirk’s second team 9-7.

The sharp progress up the league tables for Formby continues in the fourth division as their second team have quickly got used to the third division lifestyle with a strong and solid 14-2 win over Hightown. It ended up being wins all-round for the two promoted sides as Blundellsands’ second team also began their season with a win. This time over Carlton’s first team 10-6.

In other third division action, there were comfortable wins for Birkdale’s second team and Southbank against Argyle 2 and Mawdesley 2 respectively.

If you are a fan of tie-breaks, then you would have been completely satisfied with the fourth division encounter between Aughton 2 and Mawdesley 3. With almost half of the contested sets going the distance, this was a match that needed a lot of nerve. Coming out victors was Mawdesley 3 which could prove to be a vital win considering both sides are likely to be fighting for survival at the bottom of the table.

It was less stressful first match of the season for North Meols 3, Hillside 2 and Ormskirk 3 who comfortably saw off their respective opponents in the form Croston 2, Sphynx 3 and Formby Village 2.

The runaway train that is being driven by Formby is not stopping anytime soon, as their third team are looking take firm control of the fifth division after they quickly saw off Carlton’s second team 13-2.

There was also an impressive start to the season for a North Meols 4 side that were unexpectedly moved up a division despite finishing third in the sixth division. Despite all of that, they managed to overcome a tricky Birkdale 3 by defeating them 14-2.

Meanwhile, Mawdesley 4 and Ormskirk 4 both managed to maintain early leads to narrowly come through the tests of Campion’s first team and Formby Village 3.

It all went to form in the sixth division as all the expected promotion contenders secured comfortable wins. There were wins for the recently relegated Southbank 2, Town Green, Mawdesley 5 and seventh division champions Formby 4.

With clubs dropping some of their bottom sides, there have been a lot of changes in the seventh division. Looking to capitalise on these changes is an Ormskirk 5 side that is aiming to quickly return to the sixth division. They produced a ruthless display in their 16-0 win over Formby Village 4. Despite many sets being well contested including a few tie-breaks, Ormskirk took all the sets as well as all the points.

There was an impressive comeback by North Meols 5, who were on the brink of defeat against Hillside 4. But a couple of dominant wins in the women’s doubles saw North Meols come out with a valuable 9-7 win.

Meanwhile, there were also wins for Croston 3 and Southbank 3.

In the league’s eighth division, we saw the only draw of the entire week. That honour went to Formby 5 and Sphynx 4. With both teams being part of clubs with high ambitions, we could see an early indication on who will be contending for the promotion spots as nothing could separate these two for the entire contest.

For now, the early pace setters are Birkdale 5 who came through against the returning Maghull in an 8-5 win.

The only other match in this division saw Argyle’s third team come out narrow 9-7 winners over Sphynx 5 in what was an entertaining encounter with both sides having opportunities to take control of the match.

For more information on other teams in your local area, check out the league’s official website www.southport tenisleague.org.uk for further details.