Super Holcombe wrap up league with easy victory

5:15pm Friday 8th August 2008

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BSF TENNIS: With three matches remaining of the BSF Mens Tennis season, Division One supremos Holcombe Brook SC A took the title in fine style with an easy 7.5-1.5 win over a Markland Hill A.

Ten points behind the champions, Ellesmere A have almost secured second place with a six-point lead over the A teams of Markland Hill and Leigh.

South College A, who, for many years, have contested the Division One title with the Brook, have spent more time close to the relegation zone than away from it. But things have improved and now, with more players available, they hope to regain some of the ground lost, though they have now lost the services of mainstay player Nick Hinnighan to an ankle injury.

South College A visited a good Next Generation (Chorley) A team and won 7.5-1.5, effectively sending the latter into Division Two alongside Lostock A.

Sitting on a six-point lead at the top of Division Two, Walmer A suffered a surprise 6-5-2.5 defeat against third-bottom South College B.

Another good 7-2 win over Ellesmere B allows Longsight Meths A to close the gap on Walmer A to three points ahead of their top-of-the-table clash.

Bottom team Markland Hill B trounced Tyldesley A in an amazing 8-1 win with unblemished performances the couples Ainscough and Nowell, and Abbott and Pearson.

Nothing changes in Division Three as all the top four teams won against lower opposition. David Lloyd (Bolton) and Chorley A remain tied at the top with all to play for in the last two matches.

Lowton keep their grip on Division Four and maintain their three-point lead over chasing team Holcombe Brook SC B.

One more win will see Leigh CC C playing Division Four tennis next season after defeating Markland Hill D 7.5-1.5 and second-placed Chorley B losing 5-4 at Winton SC. Walkers’ 6-3 win over David Lloyd (Bolton) B moves them clear and drops Markland Hill D and DL B into relegation trouble.

In Division Six, stalwarts Knowles and Hartopp played a blinder to move Eagley safely away from relegation with a 5.5-3.5 win against Hawkshaw C. Lostock D and Guildhall are facing the chop.

Bolton CC have made the top of Division Seven their own while, at the other end, the drop beckons for Ellesmere D following their narrow 5-4 defeat against Cricketers.

Runaway winners of Division Eight are Eagley B, who possess one of only three undefeated records in the Mens League with an accomplished 8-1 win over Hawkshaw D, who have now been relegated.

It looks like a done deal in Division Nine with unbeaten Chorley D firmly in command – five points clear of Claremont B, who can still catch Chorley on paper, but the leaders are really too good for this division and Claremont should be happy to accompany them into Division Eight next year.