With the Summer coming to an end, the Dorset Doubles Leagues look to have finished just in time as the weather takes a turn for the worst.
The final standings from the summer season have been confirmed following the completion of 490 matches across the draws and divisions. A total of 163 teams were involved in 23 divisions making the past season one of the largest the county has seen.
Over 780 players involved over the summer months, Dorset will be hoping to see a vast majority of that number continue on in the winter season and again in the 2014 summer season, for which registration closes on the 31st of December.
Top honours in the county were spread between a number of clubs who shared the spotlight after a successful season on the courts. East Dorset 1 were the undefeated winners of the Men’s Division one, with Southbourne 1 finishing as runners-up. West Hants had two titles after they had successful teams in the Ladies Division one and the Men’s Vets Division one. East Dorset 1 were runners-up in the Vets, whilst David Lloyd were second in the Ladies top division.
In the Mixed Division one David Lloyd went one further than in the Ladies draw as they claimed top prize after an unbeaten season. East Dorset 1 came a narrow second place after losing just one match, to the champions David Lloyd. East Dorset had another successful team after their Over 60s were champions of their Division.
Elsewhere in the draws there were four titles for Southbourne as their Men’s 3, Ladies 3, Ladies Vets 1 and Mixed 3 teams were all winners in the Men’s Division four, Ladies Division five, Ladies Vets Division one and Mixed Division four.
Milford teams won two titles after their Ladies 3 and Mixed 3 were victorious in the Ladies Division four and Mixed Division 6. Virgin Active claimed two titles of their own with victories for their Men’s 1 and Ladies 1 in the second divisions of both draws. There were also two titles for St.Leonards after their Men’s 2 and Ladies 1 were successful in the Men’s Division three and the Ladies Division three.
League Secretary Andrew Sanger has said he was really pleased that so many matches had been completed this summer, many of which had very close results including a number of ties. His thanks go to Club Fixture Secretaries and Team Captains for their efforts in getting matches played.
Click Here for more information on the Dorset Doubles Summer League 2013
By Harry Lund