Five teams were entered for 2023 with team captains Hans Monahan (M55) & Mike Powell (M75 non-playing) continuing in post, James Sinclair (moving from M65 to M70), and new captains Paul Williams (M60) & Andy Smith (M65).
Wilts M55
Played 4 matches in Group 2B under captain Hans Monahan, losing 0-5 to Herts (first) Berks (third) & Devon (fourth) but winning one rubber against Middx 1-4 (second). Singles were shared unsuccessfully amongst Richard Farr, Hans Monahan & Livio Pavone, whilst doubles were shared by those 3 and David Langton,Chris Allen, Tony Stredwick & James Carter. Wilts finished fifth and should be relegated for 2024.
Wilts M60
Also played 4 matches but in Group 2A under captain Paul Williams, finishing fifth to South Wales (1), Oxon (2), Somerset (3) & Herts (4). Match results were 2-3 v Herts, 1-4 v Oxon & SWales and 0-5 v Somerset. Singles were shared amongst Julian Mitchell, Paul Williams & Tony Stredwick with Mitchell & Williams winning one each. Doubles were shared by those 3 and Nick Hewens, Andy Dickinson, Gavin Gibson, Craig Wensley, Andy Smith & Steve Archer with 5 rubbers going to the third set CTB, Gavin winning two of them with Smith & Wensley.
Wilts M65
A success story in Group 3B under captain Andy Smith, who was sidelined in 2022 by injury. Julian Mitchell & Andy each won 3 of their 4 singles and all 4 of their doubles together and were ably supported by Kim Stuckey & Colin Thomas who won 3 important doubles. Matches were won against Avon 3-2, Glos 4-1 & Somerset 4-1 but lost narrowly to Devon away 2-3. However Devon slipped up against Glos away 1-4, leaving Wilts M65 champions with Devon (2nd), Avon (3rd), Glos (4th) & Somerset (5th). Wilts should be promoted to Group 2 for 2024.
Wilts M70
Played 4 matches in Group 3A under new captain James Sinclair, with James & Paul Denyer at doubles first pair winning 4 of their 8 rubbers and losing the other 4 all in third set CTBs. Second pair doubles were shared by Glynn Stevens, Glen d’Mello & Robin Bennett with the two G’s winning 2 of their 4 rubbers together and all three being involved in CTBs. Wilts lost 0-4 to Camb(1), lost on games only to Herts (2), lost on sets to Avon but won on sets v Somerset and finished in third place above Somerset (4) & Avon (5). A few points the other way and Wilts would have been promoted!
Wilts M75
In only its second year, this team found itself placed in Group 1A mostly for geographical reasons along with formidable Surrey & Middlesex, also Hants/IoW & distant Cornwall. The first match produced an unexpected close-fought victory at home on games only v Hants, who had already defeated Cornwall on sets only. Wilts then lost to Middx 0-5 and Surrey 0-5 giving us the opportunity to play Cornwall away to remain in Group 1 for 2024. Unfortunately, events took an unfavourable course. Both of our first pair, Colin Gratton & Matt Holland proved unavailable to play Cornwall outdoors at the end of August, nor was John Saunsbury (in France), making it impossible to field a full team to travel to Penzance. Reluctantly the match had to be conceded which left the placings at Surrey(1), Middx (2), Cornwall (3), Hants (4) & Wilts (5) and likely to be relegated. With Peter Cooper sidelined (knee replacement), the team was Gratton, Holland, Edward Lea, Robert Townsend, John Saunsbury & Ian Wallace.
Mike Powell Wiltshire LTA Seniors Mens Tennis Organiser