Fixtures commence in September 2008 and run through to April 2009, with all matches played at the Carnegie Tennis Centre, at Leeds Metropolitan University in Headingley.

As in previous years, the format is that there are two men and two ladies per team, playing one men’s doubles, one ladies’ doubles, and four mixed doubles (ie each person plays one men’s/ladies’ doubles and two mixed doubles matches). Matches are played on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between 8pm and 10pm, and each team will play roughly once every two to three weeks.

The entry form, including the league rules (please note the changes regarding player eligiblity) are here -winterentry08final.doc

The entry fee per team is £80, and court fees on the night are £6 per person.

As in previous years, the league is sure to be popular (we are always over-subscribed), so please return your form and cheque promptly to ensure you secure a place. An entry will not be accepted without a cheque.

The closing date for entries is 13 August.

The format is the same as in the spring, but for the full list of rules and regs, click here - http://www.leedstennis.org.uk/singlesrules/

In summary:

- Divisions

I’ve split everyone into five divisions, based on your previous performance in the league or (if you’re new) my judgment of your standard of play based upon your email to me. As previously, please do not be offended (or daunted) if you feel that you’re in the wrong division – it’s nothing personal.

Each player plays everyone else once – depending on the number of entrants in your division, players will have either 2 or 3 ‘home’ matches (randomly chosen by the fixture software).  Home players are responsible for contacting the away player and arranging the venue and time of matches. Away players provide the match balls.

For a complete list of players and contact details (which sets out which division you’re in) – click here - http://www.leedstennis.org.uk/singlesplayers/ - password is as in my email to participants.

For fixtures (including the date by which a fixture should be played) – click here - http://www.leedstennis.org.uk/singles/

As before, the fixture deadlines are simply guidelines – feel free to agree different dates if you choose (and play them in whatever order you like), but please let me know if you do change a date, so that I don’t chase you for scores.

To reiterate - please note that all matches need to be completed by 19 October 2008.

- Match format

Each match will have 2 tie-break sets.  If it is one set all, a ‘match’ (or ‘championship’) tie break is played – first to 10 by two clear points.  3 points are score for a win, 1 for a defeat, and 0 for a no-show.

Once you’ve played a match, please email your score to singles@leedstennis.org.uk within 48 hours.

Best of luck with your matches, and of course do let me know if you’ve any questions or if you need any more information.

Paul Copley

They’ll be regularly updated throughout the season, so I suggest you bookmark the page and check back often.

Any queries/errors, please email Paul Copley

(men, L-R): Chris Priestley, Roland Hom, Eric de Hennezel, Dave Baggaley (capt), Iain Griffin, (women, L- R) Lauren Hamburg, Audrey Reed, Cath Blakeman

Chapel Allerton concluded their victorious season with a 6-0 hammering of Towers, who were playing their final ever game, just six days before folding as a club. Despite Horsforth also whitewashing their opponents (Pool), it wasn’t enough to overturn Chapel A, who finished on the same points but with a +4 better rubbers difference. Bardsey finished their season with a flourish to take third place, with a 5-1 win over St Chad’s and a 6-0 win over Kirkstall.

So, a great season from Chapel Allerton, who only slipped up once all season, that being their first game, which was 2-4 against Roundhay. I think it’s fair to say it’s been a real club effort by Chapel A, with 15 different players having represented the club over the season. It’s a testament to their strength in depth that in the key matches they’ve been able to field strong teams to overcome the better opposition, whilst rotating other players in against the lower ranked clubs. The main players have been Iain Griffin, Chris Priestley, Roland Hom, Eric de Hennezel, David Baggaley, Alice Ridout, Catherine Hannan, Liz Willis, Audrey Reed and Selena Kearvell, with ‘cameo’ appearances from Lucy Bate, Jack Pykett, Cath Blakeman, Lauren Hamburg and Rachel Sutherland. Given their new Gallic determination, I would not bet against Chapel A following up their maiden title win next year.

Special mention must go to Horsforth though, who fought Chapel A all the way and looked for a while to have taken the title, but just lost it about three matches from the end and, indeed, Rawdon, who led for much of the season but faded away to fourth at the end.

All the results:

St Chad’s 1 Bardsey 5

Adel 3 Kirkstall 3

Roundhay 6 Boston Spa 0

Pool 1 Towers 5

Horsforth 6 Pool 0

St Chad’s 1.5 David Lloyd 4.5

Bardsey 6 Georgian 0

Rawdon 5 Kirkstall 1

Wetherby 0 David Lloyd 6

Towers 0 Chapel Allerton 6

Bardsey 6 Kirkstall 0

Click here for the final table.

So, that’s just about it from me, so I’ll sign off for this winter. Until next year - and enjoy the summer tennis season.

Paul Copley

It has since expanded, and in 2008 the league now comprises nearly 90 teams, playing mixed, medley, mens, ladies and junior tennis. In addition, there’s an indoor winter medley league, which plays at Leeds Metropolitan University’s Carnegie Tennis Centre, with 15 competing teams, and the Leeds Tennis Singles League, which is open to all.

The league is run by a team of volunteers, supported by Leeds City Council, with financial support from the Lawn Tennis Association.

So in short - plenty of opportunities to play, singles or doubles, however old or good you are!