A CRUCIAL win for the Derbyshire Tennis Centre ladies' team has put them one step closer to retaining their title in the Derby Area Tennis League.
The defending champions recorded a 5-4 triumph against division leaders Church Broughton Firsts, who have a four-point advantage at the top of the table.
The summer season win came courtesy of three sets from players Rebecca Wood and Anne Johnston.
Rolls-Royce Firsts made a promotion push in Division Two but they fell at the final hurdle. The team pulled off an important win over Ockbrook and Borrowash Seconds, with three sets from Carole Swinburn and Susan Todd. But the third-placed side suffered a 5-1 defeat to Ashbourne Firsts, who can now clinch the title with victory in their final match.
Duffield Thirds celebrated a 9-0 win against Ashbourne Seconds to become Division Three champions. The league leaders claimed the title on set difference – with 41 to New Watchorn's 36.
Three sets from Elaine Mellows and Celia Smith helped Ockbrook and Borrowash Thirds edge away from the drop to Division Four. They completed a fine 7-2 win over New Watchorn, who bounced back by beating Woodlands Thirds 7-2. But Darley Dale can still deny them with victory in their final match at Church Broughton Seconds.
In Division Four, Little Eaton Ladies completed an unbeaten season with a 6-3 win away against Belper Meadows Seconds. Sue and Charlotte Hobbs helped by winning three sets, two of which were tie breaks.
Meanwhile, in the men's section, Ripley Firsts secured their return to Division One with a comprehensive 8-1 win over Duffield Thirds. Good performances came from pairs Wynne Garnett and Mike Griffiths and Rob Hawkins and Richard Whitfield, with both winning all their three sets.
Burton, second in Division Two, maintained their promotion challenge with a 6-3 win against Lakeside. Mike Tolson and Richard Lathbury won three sets.
The second promotion place in Division Three went to Rolls-Royce Seconds following a 7-2 win over Littleover. The victory, which included three sets from Adrian Cuthell and Paul Madden, however, confirmed Littleover's relegation. They will be joined in Division Four by Woodlands Seconds, who lost their final match 6-3 at Derbyshire Tennis Centre.
Belper Meadows Firsts moved up to second in the fourth division after thrashing New Watchorn Firsts 9-0. Stanton have been relegated after losing 8-1 at Ashbourne Thirds.
In Division Five, the Central United Reformed Church Seconds clinched a second successive promotion by winning twice in a week. They beat Church Broughton Thirds by seven sets to two, with three sets coming from Tony Wills and Patrick Murphy. Later, they won 5-3 away against Little Eaton Seconds, with Ran Nath and Adam Cerkeluinas undefeated.
Division Six leaders Belper Meadows suffered a 7-2 loss at Rolls-Royce Fourths, with Dave Gabriel and Nick Lehouchu claiming three sets for the home team. Woodlands Thirds finished their season by climbing off the bottom of the table with successive 5-4 home wins. They first beat Duffield Fifths and then Ashbourne Fourths – the latter thanks to three sets from Richard Sykes and Robert Pearson.
In the mixed section, Mark MacNulty and Carol Winfield's three sets helped Duffield Firsts win 6-3 against David Lloyd Firsts in Division One.