COPMANTHORPE will return to division one of the Tyke Petroleum Men's Tennis League after a six-year absence when the season kicks off on Sunday (APRIL27).

Newly-promoted Cop face a tough first day at reigning champions David Lloyd, with long-serving captain Graeme Butcher is standing down in favour of David Beattie.

York are back in the top flight after only one season out. York firsts and thirds both start at Poppleton in a simultaneous double-header in divisions one and four.

Wigginton and Starbeck both plan to have an all day tennis celebration.

Wigginton firsts host division one's Fulford on Sunday morning, after which Wigginton fourths will host their own third team in division six.

In division eight, Starbeck thirds will host local rivals, and new entrants, Harrogate Racquets 2 in the morning, with Starbeck seconds then hosting their own first team in division three.

There are three new teams, bringing the league up to the full quota of 64. Racquets and Appleton Roebuck have entered a second men's team each.

Roebuck 2 enter the bottom tier via division six, while Racquets join division eight.

Harlow seconds have joined at the last minute, replacing Bishopthorpe thirds.

A league spokesman said: "This is the 35th continuous year that the men's doubles league has been contested in York.

"That the league continues to thrive is solid testament to the sporting enthusiam and generosity of our league sponsor, Derek Boorman.

"He was one of the founders of the league in 1980, and played for the very successful, Dunnington club, who've won 14 of last 34 contested league titles."