RAINFORD Tennis Club’s men’s and women’s teams will both be competing in Division A of the Liverpool and District Tennis League next year after a historic double promotion season.

The men’s first team have not competed in the top flight for more than 30 years, while the women’s side have never played in Division A.

Respective captains Anne Moyers and Simon Webster led their teams to promotion by securing second place finishes.

“Our club has grown significantly over the past few years and now to have both teams competing in the highest divisions of the Liverpool League next year is very exciting," said club chairman Ron Hamilton.

At this week’s Head Merseyside Tennis Open, which took place on the indoor courts of Liverpool Tennis Centre, Maisie Lavelle was a winner in the girls’ 14 and under doubles and runner-up in the 16 and under singles.

Phoebe Mitchell was runner-up in the 12 and under singles.

Cameron Ashley-Jones and Erin Scott both competed well in singles and doubles events.

Attention now turns to the 2017 St Helens Tennis Tournament, sponsored by North West Waste Consultants, which takes place August 14-18 in Rainford and has attracted a strong field of players from across the region.