IT has been one of Walmer's Tennis Club's less rewarding seasons in terms of team success, but the emergence of their Juniors into regular match tennis promises a sound future.

The loss of influential players at key points in the league campaigns, has forced changes which have seen both Men's A team, and the Mixed A team lose their places in Division One and Two, respectively.

The Mixed A needed a win and the help of others to stay afloat in Division Two of the Bolton League, in their final match last week, away to Bolton Cricket Club. In the opening mixed section, there were wins from Steve Routledge and Fran Biggins, 6-2, and Mike Davies and Jill Ashworth 6-3, but the section ended even as John Biggins and Gail Blackburn lost 4-6, and Mark Booth and Carol Smalley lost 1-6.

The ladies lost ground with defeats for Carol and Fran by 2-6, 1-6, and Gail and Jill with 2-6, 6-5 results, and despite good results in the men's section where Routledge and Biggins won 6-3, 6-2, and Davies and Booth scored 6-0, 2-6, the final result was a narrow 48-51 defeat for Walmer.

The Mixed B team entertained Markland Hill E and a win would have confirmed a high place in Division Five, but they were unable to get it without its regular ease.

The Mixed C team were also at home to Division Six leader Harwood CC, a side unbeaten this season. Walmer managed to win just four sets, but here again the young players batted to the end in each set, before Walmer lost by 44-65.

In the men's matches, the A team ended the season one place off the bottom of Division One and thus will be relegated to Division Two next season.

The B team gained good victory over Leigh CC, with all pairs contributing to the scores. Paul Biggins and Julian Nuttall won two sets, as did John Biggins and Brain Richards, and with Mark Booth and Matt Hargreaves picking up the all important fifth set for a 5-4 win.

The Men's C also won by 5-4, against Lostock, with good contributions from returning skipper Ray Tait, and promoted junior Chris Vipond.