MARK Gleave knows he has a hard act to follow.

He agreed to take over as men’s teams’ co-ordinator at Hartford Tennis Club at the end of a summer season in the South and Mid Cheshire League that his predecessor, Dave Glenn, rated as the best yet.

The men’s A, with Gleave as captain, were pipped to the first division title by a single point.

“We want to win it this time,” he said.

“We’ve given ourselves a decent platform to build on, and getting so close [last year] has only made us more determined.”

And they gave a demonstration of that intent with a 5-3 victory at home to leaders Congleton A on Tuesday.

Hartford take over top spot in the table, ahead of Nantwich A on sets difference, as a reward.

Two other sides representing the Chester Road club protected their top-flight status last summer while a fourth quartet was promoted after finishing as runners-up at the level below.

That means half of the teams in the top-flight this year are from Hartford, and there are two more in the second tier.

Gleave said: “That’s proof of our strength in depth, and no other club can match it.

“Six of our seven senior men’s teams play in the top two divisions, which is pretty much unheard of.

“But we’ll try to improve.”

He told the Guardian that the standard of play at Hartford is the highest he’s seen.

That is in large part due to members practicing together during the winter, when doubles pairings are shuffled so developing players can have a hit alongside the top seeds.

Weekly sessions regularly attract more than 20 participants, and line-ups for the summer campaign are then decided after every individual is ranked by his peers.

“It’s a system we’ve used for years,” said Gleave.

“And there’s been no need for me to tweak it because it’s fair and transparent – guys know the score.

“They acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses and can see that it’s fluid.

“There are examples of lads who have worked their way up to the higher teams, and I think that’s important.”

Gleave, who moved to Hartford as a junior after playing initially at Acton Bridge as well as at school, hopes the senior teams’ success persuades more members to take part.

Hartford G, in Division Four, are the current stepping stone.

“The club is in rude health,” added the 31-year-old.

“And I’m certainly not going to stand in the way of a talented junior coming through if it’s their ambition to.”