HARTFORD Tennis Club’s newest men’s team racked up a ninth straight win last week, proving their promising start to the season was not beginners’ luck.

A combination of youth and experience appears to be the right one for Hartford G as they consolidated their position at the South and Mid Cheshire League’s Division Five summit by thrashing hosts Goostrey B.

A fine guest appearance was made by 16-year-old George Blackshaw who, fresh from finishing his GCSE exams, showed his older teammates a trick or two.

In the top flight, there was another whitewash success for Hartford A – at the expense of the Chester Road club’s third team – as they continue a pursuit of the title.

Meanwhile Hartford B remain on course for Division One survival.

Two successful pairings from previous campaigns were reunited for a 7½-½ defeat of Congleton B; father-and-son tandem Pete and Gary Makin combined with Mark Gleave and Fraser Lindsay.

There was a family connection too in Hartford ladies’ A team clash with Holmes Chapel B, but this time mother and daughter found themselves on opposite sides of the net.

Kathryn Barnett recently moved to Hartford, and her new teammates secured a comfortable 8-0 victory.

Hartford C closed the gap on leaders Hartford B in Division Two following a 6-2 win against Alsager A.

A strong performance from Pauline Cordingley and Sue White, along with Lillie Prior and Mandy Hemming, helped them to a vital victory.

Goostrey A failed to make an impression against Hartford D in Division Three, losing all eight sets, but Hartford E came unstuck in a 5-3 defeat at Nantwich C.

Hartford B hammered neighbours Cuddington B in Mixed Division Two.