THE Tyke Petroleum Men’s Tennis League gets under way on Sunday with a record 64 teams.

The league again comprises eight divisions of eight teams each organised into a four-tier pyramid, topped off by division one.

Rejoining the top tier are division two champions Dunnington.

Young talents Tom Loten, James Todd and Brad Swainston will be following in their fathers’ footsteps as they bid to continue Dunnington’s proud record in the league. They start with a trip to last year’s division one runners-up York.

Knaresborough return to the top flight for the first time since their 2008 exit, when they failed to score a point. They are back having won the division three title with a 100 per cent record.

They host perennial challengers Poppleton in their first match.

Starbeck were due to open their first year at the pinnacle with a game at reigning champions Rowntree Park, but the match was postponed as the Park courts are being relaid.

The opening Sunday throws up a triple header for the first time between teams from David Lloyd and Wigginton, ranging from the top to the bottom of the league.

Wigginton’s first and fourth teams will go to David Lloyd to face the hosts’ firsts and thirds in divisions one and seven, while Wigginton’s third team will host David Lloyd seconds in division five.

Sutton-on-Derwent’s two teams will do battle against Poppleton seconds and thirds in divisions three and six.

Newcomers Harrogate Academy 2 have a tricky away tie in division six, at a rejuvenated Sheriff Hutton, who boast several fresh faces for the new season. The other new team, Alne & Tollerton 2, enjoy a home debut against their own first team in division eight.

Appleton Roebuck also boast two teams in the same bracket.

Both will compete in division four after their firsts were narrowly pipped for promotion from the third tier and the seconds triumphed in the level below, winning the division six trophy.