It’s been a dark and dreary few weeks – so great to see dry and bright weather on the horizon and the opening of the grass courts imminent.

Perhaps not surprisingly, league ladder matches have been few and far between recently (with the stand-out exception of Andrew Sabin) who has managed three in the last month.

So what better time to relaunch the league with the winter finals out of the way and the summer tournaments not due to start until June.

We currently have 50 players in the ladder and we welcome newcomers at any time with players allocated starting positions according to their ability level.

Many players have played several games over the winter for which they should be congratulated. However, despite signing up, some others (you know who you are) have been rather reticent, to say the least.

With that in mind, it is time for a purge in order to keep the ladder as active and relevant as possible so players who have failed to play any games will be expunged, reducing current numbers to 36 (they are welcome to return at a later date if they promise to actually play).

Players are able to challenge people up to ten places above them to enable extra flexibility for everyone.

As before, players who challenge higher ranked players and win will move immediately above them in the rankings. If they lose, then both players simply stay where they are.

Players may play as often or as little as possible depending on their circumstances, hopefully offering more flexibility to everyone.

Players who are challenged should make every effort to accept the challenge as early as they can, unless hampered by injury, work or other commitments (two weeks would be a reasonable time).

Players who don’t play at least once during a three-month window will be demoted down the ladder below those that have played to encourage and reward participation, unless they request an injury time out.

New players are welcome by contacting Phil Tusler via philtusler64@gmail.com or 07909 662491.

League Ladder (9.5.23)

1. James Rosenthal – Played 2 Won 2 Lost 0
2. James Leonard – Played 5 Won 3 Lost 2
3. James Hotson – Played 2 Won 1 Lost 1
4. Rowan Smithson – Played 1 Won 0 Lost 1
5. Tom Dow – Played 3 Won 2 Lost 1
6. Kris Dymond – Played 1 Won 0 Drew 1 Lost 0
7. Martyn Lawrenson – Played 4 Won 1 Drew 1 Lost 2
8. Andrew Palmer – Played 2 Won 2 Lost 0
9. Lee Keeping – Played 6 Won 6 Lost 0
10. Paul Whittenham – Played 5 Won 2 Lost 3
11. Adam Tolmie – Played 10 Won 5 Lost 5
12. Matt Hotchkiss – Played 4 Won 1 Lost 3
13. Natalie Denby – Played 6 Won 3 Lost 3
14. Bailey Rowsell – Played 2 Won 1 Lost 1
15. Katie Rowley – Played 3 Won 2 Lost 1
16. Phil Tusler – Played 4 Won 1 Lost 3
17. David Spink – Played 2 Won 0 Lost 2
18. Graham Cotterill – Played 3 Won 2 Lost 1
19. Anna Newman (injury time out) – Played 1 Won 0 Lost 1
20. George Knight – Played 6 Won 3 Lost 3
21. Ant Spencer – Played 3 Won 2 Lost 1
22. Robert Haines – Played 3 Won 1 Lost 2
23. Harry Harrison – Played 1 Won 1 Lost 0
24. Will Denby – Played 3 Won 2 Lost 1
25. Olaf Gueldner (returning from injury) Played 0 Won 0 Lost 0
26. Russ Howarth – Played 2 Won 2 Lost 0
27. Stuart Davis – Played 2 Won 1 Lost 1
28. Andrew Sabin – Played 3 Won 3 Lost 0
29. Nicolette Lock – Played 3 Won 1 Lost 2
30. James Burgess – Played 0 Won 0 Lost 0
31. Netty Hart – Played 4 Won 1 Lost 3
32. Kevin Matchan – Played 3 Won 0 Drew 1 Lost 2
33. Steve Joy – Played 3 Won 0 Drew 1 Lost 2
34. Peter Campbell – Played 0 Won 0 Lost 0
35. Andy Rowley – Played 0 Won 0 Lost 0
36. Zoe Larkin – Played 0 Won 0 Lost 0