THE Tyke Petroleum Men's Tennis League begins on Sunday with a city versus citadel flavour to it.

In division one this year, five teams from York will draw rackets across the A1 against last season's in-form Harrogate teams Racquets and The Academy, as well as re-engaging with Starbeck.

It's taken Racquets and Academy four seasons from first entering the York men's competition to climb seven divisions to finally face the best York has to offer. Racquets won division two while The Academy won division three and have been shifted into the top tier.

Nick Turnbull, captain of reigning division one champions Poppleton, is quietly confident his team will be able to match anything the Harrogatians can bring, and doesn't envisage the men's league title migrating west of the Great North Road just yet.

Poppleton serve off the new season on Sunday, April 24 by hosting a double header against Starbeck in divisions one and four, while Harrogate Racquets enjoy a twin clash against York in the same two divisions.

Division three trophy holders The Academy host the 2014 league champions Rowntree Park on their outdoor Astro-turf.

Down in the lower levels, new team Rufforth 2 have a short hop to Clifton Park to take on York 4ths in their first match in division seven.

The new David Lloyd fourth team will comprise up-and-coming youngsters reports Marius Barnard, head of tennis at the city leisure complex.

Organised by David Lloyd coach Ed Barker-Wyatt, they will hopefully have someone to take the wheel as they face a much longer trip to Selby for their inaugural Men's League match in division eight.

Relegated last season, Wetherby start this term against their very own second team.

Sheriff Hutton host fellow promoted club and local village rivals Strensall in one of the intriguing ties of the opening week, also in division five.

The league comprises 63 teams from 32 tennis clubs, with 434 matches scheduled between now and September.

Meanwhile, the Fulford Ladies Invitation League starts this weekend.

Three additional teams have entered the league, which is once again sponsored by Paul Garland Ltd, so 51 teams will now compete across seven divisions.

York’s first team will look to retain the title for a fourth successive season, with challenges likely to come from various teams including Dunnington and Poppleton.

David Lloyd return to the top flight after a season in division two and will look to consolidate.

Cliffe start in division two for the first time in more than 20 years after gaining promotion with Wigginton.

Copmanthorpe 1 bounced straight back up to division three after relegation the previous season, with Tollerton moving up with them.

Bubwith 1 have enjoyed successive promotions, though only secured the division five title on games difference over Dunnington 3, who also move up to division four.

Wilberfoss finally secured promotion and the division six title last season having twice finished third.

New teams from Rufforth, David Lloyd and Wilberfoss will compete for the first time this season in the new division seven.