MEMBERS from Sodbury Tennis Club have been looking back at their season which saw them enter five ladies and nine men's teams in their local league. 

The club - based in the Ridings, Chipping Sodbury - entered five ladies and nine men’s teams to compete in the Avon LTA summer league.

Matches are played on Friday evenings, to fulfil the demand from STC members, the club use all available local courts.

At the home of STC on the Ridings there is a vibrant atmosphere on Friday evenings with many spectators enjoying top quality men’s and ladies’ doubles matches played against top class teams from Bristol, Bath, Somerset, South Glos.

Five ladies’ teams took part in the 10 weeks of summer league.

The ladies played in some tough divisions ranging from division 7 up to division 1.

This gave players of all levels the opportunity to take part in competitive inter club play.

Ladies captain Abi Matthews and vice-captain Anna Webster did a marvellous job, organising ladies practice on Tuesday nights and team selection. 

The ladies gave fantastic support this year, there have been many close matches with the extra challenge of replaying postponed fixtures due to the bad weather.

The introduction of the talented junior players alongside their formidable senior ladies confirmed STC has a solid base to build on.

Nine men’s teams each team comprising of four players playing at many venues around the Avon LTA catchment area takes commitment and effort, Luca Crivelli and Clint Webber took on this challenge as Men’s captains and to their great credit fielded full teams every week. 

Clint, remarking on the season, said: "We appreciate the commitment of the STC men, the juniors that played and the joy of sharing the wins, loses and draws over drinks and burgers in the clubhouse, post-match league tennis is a shared experience."

Families, parents and children, partners, husbands and wives, fathers and daughters and mothers and sons have all participated and enjoyed Friday night tennis.

Chair Kathy Ryan said: "Tennis is a sport enjoyed by all.

"It can be played competitively from a young age up to 70 and beyond.

"It’s a truly inclusive sport.

"The captains have done a remarkable job in co-ordinating so many teams in so many venues – Thank you”.