THE penultimate week of the Men’s Tennis League saw very little change in the position of the teams at the top and bottom of most of the nine divisions.

The most notable exception was in Division Seven where three teams were on 21 points, just three points behind the team heading the table, Eagley B. Eagley played the bottom team of that pack of three, Bradshaw C.

The Eagley pair of Steve Holt and Paul Heyes won their three sets comfortably to set up a victory for Eagley and rule Bradshaw out of contention.

Meanwhile, second place David Lloyd (Bolton) D played third place Claremont B in a crucial match aiming to retain second place and keep the pressure on Eagley.

Claremont, led by captain Alan Richardson, and ably assisted by the pairing of Ian Westmoreland and Bernard Audini won by a four-set margin to take second place from David Lloyd.

The final match of the season sees Claremont taking on Eagley but, due to the superior set difference of their opponents, a 9-0 victory for Claremont is required for them to share the championship.

At the bottom of Division Seven, Roe Green played second-bottom Elton Vale B.

Roe Green scrambled to victory by a one set margin to leapfrog Walmer C and lift themselves out of a potential relegation zone.

The Vale pairing of Mike Lea and Phillip Reeve were the only unbeaten pair of the night.

In Division Five, top-ofthe- table Eagley A were up against third-place Bradshaw B.

With Holcombe Brook C potentially able to clinch top spot should Eagley falter, a win was vital.

The father-son pairing of Keith and Andrew Seal won three sets for Eagley which was instrumental in giving them victory and the title.

A victory too for Holcombe Brook C against David Lloyd (Bolton) C ensured they took second place.

Another crunch match was took place at Elton Vale where their A team, top of Division Four, were taking on second-place Lostock C.

If Lostock won there was still a chance for them to win the Division.

A close match took place with Elton Vale in front 2-1 after the first round of sets and 3.5-2.5 after the second.

The final round of sets gave Vale victory and the Division Four title.

Their hero was Omar Butt who, with partner Richard Instone, won three sets – Butt not having eaten or taken liquids since 3am due to Ramadan.

Two teams still remain unbeaten within the divisions.

Division Two champions, David Lloyd (Chorley) A are set to return to Division One having the most impressive set difference of all 65 teams involved.

Their hapless opponents were a holiday-stricken Lostock B. Chorley D, also unbeaten are worthy champions of Division Nine.

T h e i r o p p o n e n t s , Longsight C, made them work hard for a 5-4 victory to maintain their unbeaten record.

The loss for Longsight, however, stopped them from taking second place from Lostock F.

Nevertheless, a victory in the final match for Longsight against bottomplace Holcombe Brook E will give them second place and a chance of promotion.

Holcombe were overtaken by Meadow Hill B who recorded their first victory of the season over Eagley C.

Eagley were unlucky to lose their best player to the B team at short notice.

Meadow Hill capitalised by winning by 3.5-2.5 of the sets played. The pairing of the youthful Jack Milner and the experienced Alan Brooks led the way.

The champions of Division One, Three and Six are now decided – Holcombe Brook A, Markland Hill B and Lostock D respectively.

In Division Eight, however, current leaders Hawkshaw D can do no more.

Just two points ahead of Lostock E with a lesser set difference they must wait to see if Walmer D can beat Lostock in the final match and thus scupper Lostock’s bid to win the title.