RACQUETS: Round-up from the courts and tables

WILSON PLYMOUTH & DISTRICT TENNIS LEAGUE END OF SEASON REVIEW by David Williams

Devonshire Men: With so many different team selections there was no consistency and the A team were relegated from Division One. By contrast the B team had a settled line-up and were runners-up in Division Two. The C team in Division Six had a good start but after the halfway stage changed the team every week and only avoided relegation by one point.

Devonshire Ladies: The A team had a good selection of players available and deservedly retained the Division One championship, with the title virtually settled when they defeated challengers Ivybridge A 8-0. Promoted last season, the B team could not meet the Division One standard and go straight back down to Division Two. In Division Four the C team lost points in week two as they did not fulfil a fixture. However the penalty point deduction did not affect their final placing as even without the deduction they did not score enough points to stay in the division.

Hill Lane Men: Promoted to Division One, the A team performed well to finish in second place. The B team, up from Division Four, had little difficulty in holding on to a Division Three spot. In Division Six the C team won the division comfortably by 17 points. The young D team in Division Seven learned a lot from playing in senior tennis but ended up having to apply for re-election.

Hill Lane Ladies: The A team, after one season in the top flight, lost their place narrowly on set-difference. In Division Four the B team fell away in the final weeks, missing promotion by 10 points. The C team gave outings to younger players and face re-election to Division Five.

Ivybridge Men: The A team were not always at full strength and also incurred penalty points and had a fourth place finish in Division One. The club had three teams in Division Four, with the B team in first place regaining Division Three status and the C and D teams staying in Division Four.

Ivybridge Ladies: A successful time for all four teams. The A team again were second in Division One, while the other sides were second in Division Three and Four respectively as the club reversed the downward trend of 2012.

Liskeard Men: The same four players appeared in the majority of matches and with consistent displays were worthy winners of Division Two.

Looe Men: A strong first half performance was contrasted by a disappointing second half due to unavailability of key players and promotion was missed by 10 points. It was all good news for the B team in Division Seven who from re-election in 2011 went to the top in 2012 with just one defeat.

Looe Ladies: The A team, by winning Division Five, go back after just one season to Division Four.

Mannamead Men: With four wins, four defeats and two draws it was third spot again for the A team in Division One. The B team bounce straight back to Division Two by winning Division Three on set-difference. The C and D teams both finished mid-table in Division Five and Seven respectively.

Mannamead Ladies: After keeping their Division One place in 2011 by two points it was even closer for the A team in 2012 when they survived on set-difference. The B team, with fewer selection problems as the season progressed, remained in Division Three.

Menheniot Ladies: Their debut in the league was marred by losing points for forgetting a re-arranged match date and promotion from Division Five was denied.

Plympton Men: The A team, up from Division Three, held on in Division Two by one point. Relegated in 2011, the B team returned immediately to Division Four by winning Division Five. However it was the reverse situation for the C team who were relegated from Division Five after one season. In Division Seven, the D team went up and the E team kept their place.

Plympton Ladies: The A team lost their place in Division Two and with players not available a much weaker B team just avoided having to apply for re-election to Division Five.

Plymstock Men: The A team, with only one scoring pair, lost their Division Two status after one season and the B team went down from Division Five.

Plymstock Ladies: Another team who improved as the season went on meant they climbed well clear of relegation.

Saltash Men: There were mixed results for the three teams. The A team won promotion from Division Three, the B team failed by two points to stay in Division Six and the C team were withdrawn for failing to fulfil two fixtures.

Saltash Ladies: Not quite as good as in 2011 but they finished 10 points above the bottom teams.

St Budeaux Men: The A team lost their place in Division One, but a final flourish from the B team ensured Division Two security. The C team, promoted in 2011, were below standard and went back to Division Four and with their usual last rally the D team were safe in Division Six.

St Budeaux Ladies: The A team remained in Division Two and there was a double success for the B and C teams who respectively won Division Three and Four.

St Mellion Men: A dreadful start was nearly overcome by a second half of the season score of promotion standard, but they were too far adrift to save their Division Four place.

St Mellion Ladies: Promotion in 2011 was followed in 2012 by a return to Division Four.

Tavistock Men: The A team were again Division One champions but the B team failed by one point to stay in Division Two. Also relegated were the C team from Division Three but their place will be taken by their D team up from Division Four. Mixed fortunes for the two teams in Division Six with the E team going up and the F team going straight back down to Division Seven.

Tavistock Ladies: No worries for the A team with a third place Division One finish and the B team, up from Division Three, easily held on in Division Two. A much better show from the C team who won Division Five.

Torpoint Men: Just missed by two points, going back down to Division Four.

Whiteford Road Men: The climb back up the divisions continued, with second place in Division Five.

Whiteford Road Ladies: The team not only won a second successive promotion, with second place in Division Two.

Yelverton Men: Promotion in 2011 was followed by a season full of problems and the team returned to Division Five.

Yelverton Ladies: Probably the least successful season since the club was formed. After two promotions in 2011 it was all downhill as the A, B and C teams all lost their place in Division Two, Three and Four respectively.