THREE matches into the tennis season, the league tables are beginning to take some shape.

Markland Hill A top Division One and are undefeated followed by Holcombe Brook A, Hawkshaw A, Lostock A and Lostock B, who have all lost one match.

In Division Two Bradshaw A retain top spot after an impressive 56-45 victory over a strong Walmer A team. Bradshaw took an early advantage winning all the mixed sets. Despite a good performance from Walmer's ladies, Bradshaw's men won by 10 games to seal the match.

Early leaders in Division Three are newcommers Vulcan. Based in Newton-le-Willows the travelling involved to their home venue has caused some controversy among a number of clubs. However, they are doing well on court and took first place by virtue of a 53 all draw at Holcombe C. Holcombe led after the mixed sets, but 6-1 and 6-2 victories by Vulcan's L Speakman and M Wheeldon counteracted a consistent set of scores from both Holcombe's ladies pairs.

Markland Hill D top Division Four, again thanks to a drawn match, 52 all against Walkers. Walkers dominated the mixed and mens sets, but an excellent performance from C Shacklady with S Bromley and D Taylor with M Simpson gave Markland Hill a share of the points. Markland Hill E side are also top of Division Five, followed closely by Walmer B, Hawkshaw D.

Division Six has for the second season running been hit by the withdrawal of a team. Meadow Hill can no longer field a C team. There has to be some sympathy for this enthusiastic club as they were badly let down after registering three teams by a number of last year's A team announcing that they would not be rejoining. Unfortunately, this now effects all clubs in Division Six, a fact which the players concerned might reflect on. THE preliminary round of the Cecil Cup has been completed. The First Round takes place tomorrow. However with five teams drawn at home, and in the first week of the tournament. Markland Hill's E and F teams will play on Sunday, June 7. They play Meadow Hill A and Holcombe Brook D respectively.

Cecil Cup first round: Vulcan (+36) v Longsight Meths A; Eagley B (+33) v Halliwell Road Meths A; Hawkshaw C v Bolton CC B (+40); Lostock D (+30) v Bolton Road; Eagley C (+56) v Hawkshaw B; Walmer C (+49) v Holcombe Brook C; Markland Hill D v Meadow Hill B (+35); Markland Hill B v Eagley A (+38); Hawkshaw A v Bolton CC A (+40); Lostock C v Bradshaw B (+37); Markland Hill C (+42) v Lostock A; Markland Hill A bye; Harwood CC (+56) v Lostock B; Markland Hill F (+30) v Holcombe Brook D; Markland Hill E (+42) v Meadow Hill A; Longsight Meths B v Hawkshaw D (+46). LOSTOCK Tennis Club are holding an Under 18 Open Junior Tournament from July 27/31. All entrants must be under 18 on January 1, 1999. The tournament is sponsored by the Daily Telegraph and BUPA in association with David Lloyd Leisure who are donating the prizes.

The winner of the girls and boys competition will go forward into the BUPA Junior Club Championship Finals, which will take place at 15 David Lloyd centres on September 26 and 27. The ultimate winners could take part in the Junior Tennis Grand Prix Final which will take place at the David Lloyd Centre in Vale do Lobo in Portugal in October. For further information and entry forms, please telephone Joan on 01204 796476.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.