HARTFORD Tennis Club’s leading men’s and women’s teams endured mixed fortune in the South and Mid Cheshire League’s latest round.

In a showdown to decide the destination of the Division One title, the men’s A quartet slipped to a 6-2 defeat against rivals Congleton A.

Both Hartford pairs won a set on the night, but neither could make a breakthrough against their opponents’ strongest duo.

It was a happier story for the ladies’ A team, who secured a surprisingly comfortable 7-1 win against Nantwich B in their top-flight encounter.

Di Fielding and Kate Burrows won a close opener against the visitors’ first pair 7-5 before rattling off six of the next seven games to take the next set.

Jacqui Wood and Kathryn Barnett won 6-2, 6-4 against their opponents’ second tandem, then dropped Hartford’s only set of the night against Nantwich’s strongest couple.

They are on course to share second spot with Congleton A, who were due to play their final fixture last night, Tuesday.

“Kathryn has been a great addition to our team this year and we have enjoyed improved results on 2014, which was our goal at the start of the summer,” said Burrows, Hartford A team’s captain.

Following another win for Hartford C, this time by 6½-1½ against Nantwich Farmers, the Chester Road club’s representatives look certain to secure the top two places in Ladies’ Division Two.

The men’s B team lost narrowly, by a single set, to Alsager A but have already secured their status in Division One for another season.