THE Tennis Borders Junior Spring Leagues made a successful return after a two year hiatus, providing opportunities for youngsters across the region to play matches on a weekly basis.

The popular league format was open to all tennis clubs in the Borders to enter teams, catering for all standards of players. Boys and girls aged 11-17 were eligible to take part in the matches, which consisted of singles and doubles ties.

Three divisions were contested this year involving eight clubs. Melrose and St Boswells both managed to field two teams on a weekly basis while Earlston had an impressive three teams entered. There was also a welcome return to the junior league scene for Lennel thanks to an increasing junior membership.

St Boswells managed to reclaim the coveted division one title they won in 2019 after a thrilling win in the final against a strong Melrose side at Gibson Park. A very competitive second division went right down to the wire, where Earlston third team eventually edged out St Boswells second team. And the third division turned out to be a close affair between the Tweeddale teams, with Innerleithen beating Peebles to the title.

The matches took place over a ten week period from mid-April into early July, providing free, accessible and fun competition for juniors and the opportunity for them to represent their club. There was also a notable increase in the number of girls taking part this season, a trend that will hopefully continue.

Attention now turns to the autumn league season, which begins at the end of the August. For more information, please contact tennisborders@gmail.com