IN last week's knockout quarter finals, Holcombe Brook B pulled off a last ditch victory over Walkers B.

Ahead after the mixed matches, and having consolidated this with a men's victory for Rob Allen and Mark Perks, Walkers seemed to be cruising to victory, not least with the great play of Ann Lindsay and Vicky Haston.

Step up Andrea Fletcher and Liz Habb, the season's most improved lady. By dint of some sparkling tennis they secured a highly impressive 8-0 win to snatch the match.

Holcombe Brook A had a more straightforward win at the expense of Bolton School B.

Graham Clarke and the bubbly non-stop Julie Bannister led the way with decisive mixed set victories, Clarke and Steve Reece winning the men's in the same vein.

Bolton School salvaged some pride when Ali Brooks and a determined Jane Sayner overcame Bannister and a strangely subdued Hayley Warrington, whose normal human threshing-machined play was rarely evident.

Bradshaw laid down a challenge to other winners, beating a strong Markland Hill A side quite convincingly on paper, although many games were decided only at deuce. Young lions Stuart Cartwright and Gareth Cole gave a rough time to ageing pack leaders Eric Robert and Ian Baron, using their handicap advantage to good effect.

Janette Walsh and Linda Hawker playing their best tennis in rising to the occasion, gave similar short shrift to the strong Heaton pairing of tennis local legend Diane O'Brien and the notoriously destructive play of Carolyn Pyatt.

RESULTS: Astley 30 Markland Hill B 23; Holcombe Brook B 27 Walkers B 22; Holcombe Brook A 30 Bolton School B 16; Bradshaw 33 Markland Hill A 13.

Holcombe scramble to make last gasp win

Ladies lead Brook to last gasp victory

No stroll

for Brook

against Walkers

IN last week's knockout quarter finals, Holcombe Brook B pulled off a last ditch victory over Walkers B.

Ahead after the mixed matches, and having consolidated this with a men's victory for Rob Allen and Mark Perks, Walkers seemed to be cruising to victory, not least with the great play of Ann Lindsay and Vicky Haston.

Step up Andrea Fletcher and Liz Habb, the season's most improved lady. By dint of some sparkling tennis they secured a highly impressive 8-0 win to snatch the match.

Holcombe Brook A had a more straightforward win at the expense of Bolton School B.

Graham Clarke and the bubbly non-stop Julie Bannister led the way with decisive mixed set victories, Clarke and Steve Reece winning the men's in the same vein.

Bolton School salvaged some pride when Ali Brooks and a determined Jane Sayner overcame Bannister and a strangely subdued Hayley Warrington, whose normal human threshing-machined play was rarely evident.

Bradshaw laid down a challenge to other winners, beating a strong Markland Hill A side quite convincingly on paper, although many games were decided only at deuce. Young lions Stuart Cartwright and Gareth Cole gave a rough time to ageing pack leaders Eric Robert and Ian Baron, using their handicap advantage to good effect.

Janette Walsh and Linda Hawker, playing their best tennis in rising to the occasion, gave similar short shrift to the strong Heaton pairing of Diane O'Brien and the notoriously destructive play of Carolyn Pyatt.

Astley won the other quarter final, their all round strength rebutting a brave challenge from a gallant Markland Hill B squad.

RESULTS: Astley 30 Markland Hill B 23; Holcombe Brook B 27 Walkers B 22; Holcombe Brook A 30 Bolton School B 16; Bradshaw 33 Markland Hill A 13.