Burnham-On-Sea’s Avenue Tennis Club is celebrating an impressive season across its teams in the North Somerset Tennis League, with the Men’s B team clinching promotion and the Men’s E side escaping relegation in a nail-biting conclusion.
The Men’s B team—led by captain Sam Goodhew and featuring Ned Lawton, Simon Blewitt, Steve Eley, and Phil Hodgson—secured second place in Division Four, earning a promotion to Division Three.
The team finished the season level on 68 points with Nailsea A but edged ahead based on match wins, boasting a 55.4% win ratio compared to Nailsea’s 52.7%.
Sixteen-year-old Lawton made an outstanding contribution and topped the division’s individual player rankings in his first full season with the men’s squad. Captain Goodhew said the team is “excited for the challenge of competing in Division Three next year.”
Over in Division Nine, Avenue’s E team—captained by Paul Carter—faced high-stakes drama in their final fixture against Bridgwater D. With the possibility of either promotion or relegation looming, Avenue’s players (Robin Dummelow, Tomasz Iracki, Will Harris, Darren Lloyd, and Richard Mear) fought hard, winning three sets. Bridgwater took the match 8–3, sealing their championship win, but Avenue’s trio of sets won was enough to keep them in the division.
Avenue’s other teams also saw notable success this summer:
Ladies A and B teams topped their respective divisionsMen’s A team finished runners-up in Division OneSeveral other teams placed securely mid-table
The Men’s F team has one fixture remaining after a weather-related postponement.
With league tennis wrapped up, Avenue will host friendly matchplay sessions on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The club is also preparing for two major tournaments:
Burnham-on-Sea Open (17–23 August): Free entry for spectators and onsite cateringSomerset County Closed: A showcase of local talent the following week
Members and non-members are invited to enjoy Wednesday supper evenings at the clubhouse, offering top-value meals and social gatherings. Fridays are family night, packed with adult coaching and junior fun tennis sessions.
Boasting eight floodlit courts and a vibrant social calendar, Avenue Tennis Club welcomes players of all ages and abilities. Junior memberships start from just £18 per year, with additional deals for family play. Visit www.avenuetennis.com to learn more or get involved.