Sidmouth Tennis Players go Crackers at Annual Christmas "Triples and Tipples," Tournament.

It was all Santa hats, reindeer antlers and Christmas jumpers underneath the floodlights at Sidmouth Tennis Club on Monday night, where over 70 members had gathered for the annual festive Triples and Tipples competition.

Replacing the normal doubles' format with teams of three, the groups were aptly named with a Christmas theme and all took to the courts ready for competition to the sounds of Christmas musical hits, for the all-important medals and bottles (miniature) of Prosecco.

In between games, competitors could help themselves to a selection of Christmassy munchies at the side of the court.

Indeed, as the evening got later and chillier, the mulled wine, mince pies and other goodies were essential fuel to keep those serves, forehands, backhands, volleys and lobs all in working order.

It was clear that recently appointed social secretary Chrissie Hounslow wasn't going to let the players go hungry, as she and her team also provided a lavish spread to wind up the evening...but, what about the tennis?

In spite of the festive fun and frolics, the hotly-contested games resulted in some close matches but it was The Tinsel Toes who climbed to the top of the Christmas Tree in the first session, smashing the Sugar Plum fairies to the sidelines in the final.

In the second session, it was Scrooge's Little Helpers who poured cold water on The Roasting Chestnuts' team to take the fizz and medals.

All in all, it was a Christmas wonderland of festive fun to end a successful, competitive season at Sidmouth Tennis Club. Many thanks to organiser, head coach Sue Wiltshire, and her assistant coaches Katie Wiltshire and Greg Ship.

Aside from the Christmas celebrations, Sidmouth Tennis Club headed into the festive break with an excellent result for the Mixed B side, defeating Lympstone B with an overall score of 6-2 across the matches.

Sidmouth Men’s B also ran table-topping Budleigh Salterton very close before going down an overall match score of 6-4. The impressive Budleigh side have now won all seven of their league games but this was surely one of their toughest assignments.

Sidmouth Herald: Tinsel Toes winners Pat Thompson and Dave WatkinsTinsel Toes winners Pat Thompson and Dave Watkins (Image: STC)

Sidmouth Herald: Social secretary Chrissie Hounslow with Chair Peter ClarkeSocial secretary Chrissie Hounslow with Chair Peter Clarke (Image: STC)

Sidmouth Herald: The prizesThe prizes (Image: STC)

Sidmouth Herald: Christmas on the courtsChristmas on the courts (Image: STC)

Sidmouth Herald: Assistant coach Greg Shipp feeding the ballAssistant coach Greg Shipp feeding the ball (Image: STC)