HOLCOMBE Brook B gained revenge for narrowly missing out on the Division Two title to Tyldesley A last season on the opening week of BSF Men’s League.

The rivals both gained promotion to Division One, and the Charlie Foley/Alec Foote pairing won all three sets to set up a 5-4 victory for Holcombe. In Division Three, Markland Hill B beat newly promoted Longsight B 7.5-1.5. New recruit for Markland Hill, Ged Shepherd, made his mark by winning all three sets with partner Glen Ainscough.

Holcombe Brook E lost 6-3 to Eagley C in Division Nine with the unbeaten pairing of Andrew Seal and Ben Morling in devastating form.

There was some good news for Hawkshaw B when the Junior League got underway. After three successive relegations, they made a good start with a 9-3 victory over rivals Holcombe Brook D.

David Saunders, Adrian Wong and Jack Thomond won all their sets for Hawkshaw while Olivia Peet won her sets for Holcombe Brook.

l Samantha Murray and Yasmin Clarke helped Holcombe Brook ladies qualify for the Bournemouth finals of the Aegon Team Tennis competition following Sunday’s 4-2 win at Edinburgh side Newhaven.

The men lost 4-2 at Manhester Northern and must now beat Wrexham to have any hope of qualifying through a play-off. In the regional leagues, the ladies beat Huddersfield LT 6-0, but the men lost 5-1 at Thongsbridge.