This is the lowest number competing in the East Northants Lawn Tennis League since 1980 when only 38 teams participated.

Six of the 12 clubs comprising the league in those days still survive – Burton Latimer, Desborough, Earls Barton, Ferrers & Rushden, Geddington and Spinney.

However Stewarts & Lloyds, Ise Valley, Park, Phipps, Post Office and Wellingborough have been replaced by Corby S&L, Finedon, Kettering, Oundle, Rockingham, Thrapston and Wollaston.

In the interim period another 13 clubs have arrived and departed, some to pastures new, while others have disappeared completely from the scene.

Thrapston first entered in 1993 with just one mixed doubles team. But their first triumph came when their then solitary entry won Men's Division Two – only to be relegated the following season.

A period of decline followed. But now with some excellent new
facilities, and a membership able to support five teams, things are
looking up. This season they have two sides in Men's Division Two with the promoted Thrapston B meeting Thrapston A in the opening fixture.

Skipper Martin Welsh and Mark Stockley, who kept the A side in Division Two last year, made a tremendous start. Stockley was in the form that enabled him to help Raunds Woodbine take the Kettering League's Division One table tennis title in the season just ended.

The number one pair won all four sets for the loss of only six games.
But second string Rob Roberts and Tony Fratangelo were unable to add to the tally – failing to take a game against Nick White and Phil Taylor and going down 6-1, 7-5 to Rob Welman and Tom Roberts to leave honours even.