HARTFORD Tennis Club’s mixed A team celebrated a success over long-time rivals Nantwich A following a dramatic encounter on Sunday.

In a match played in sunshine and showers at Chester Road, there were plenty of bright spots for the hosts as Di Fielding and Andrew Moores battled so snatch half a set off the visitors’ number one pair.

The same duo then recovered from 5-2 adrift in the final set of the contest to secure a 4½-3½ victory on aggregate.

Lin Wood and captain James Barlow collected two sets together.

On Thursday, title-chasing Hartford A saw off Nantwich’s highest-ranked team in the men’s top flight.

A 5-3 success kept them level on points with Congleton A, though the champions occupy first place as a reward for a better sets difference.

The rivals were due to meet again last night, Tuesday.

Hartford B lost at Alsager A, but their status in South and Mid Cheshire League Division One is secure for another season with two matches of the campaign remaining.

Meanwhile Hartford G continued their domination of Division Five with another whitewash, this time at Bunbury’s expense.

Roger Hemming and Peter Rosa completed a rarely-achieved feet at any level of tennis when they won the first set without dropping a point.

In ladies’ Division One, Hartford A proved too strong for their Congleton counterparts, winning 6½-1½.

Also on Sunday, Hartford B won 7-1 at Alsager in Mixed Division Two.

That success sets up a winner-takes-all tussle with Holmes Chapel in their final fixture later this month.