A DERBY between Cuddington A and Hartford E ended in a draw as the South and Mid Cheshire Men’s League season reached the halfway point.

The Chester Road outfit became the first this term to prevent their neighbours from winning a Division Two encounter, springing a surprise despite an X-ray revealing later that Dave Smith had been played with a hairline fracture of his wrist.

He combined with Andy Yearsley to secure half a set, while Chris Forrest and Chris Bott secured a stunning 3½ sets to earn a share of the spoils at 4-4.

In Division One, Hartford A recovered from the disappointment of losing to champions Congleton A the previous week by whitewashing Congleton B.

They are tied on points with their rivals, occupying second spot in the table on sets difference.

In the same section, Hartford B lost 4½-3½ against Nantwich A.

In Division Five, newcomers Hartford G met their match against Tarporley B.

But first pair of Roger Hemming and Peter Rose pinched a crucial set from their guests to tip the result their way at 5-3 – a seventh successive win.

In the ladies’ second tier, Hartford C rise to second behind clubmates Hartford B after edging a close encounter with Congleton B.

Following a slow start, losing the opening set, Lillie Prior and Mandy Hemming went on to win the next three.

Added to success for Julie Jones and Sue Nugent, they won 4½-3½ to swap places with their opponents in the table.

In Mixed Division Two, Hartford B thrashed previous leaders Holmes Chapel by 7½-1½.

The top four teams, including Hartford, are separated by as many points going into the season’s second half.