LOSTOCK A of Bolton Mixed Tennis League Division One beat David Lloyd (Bolton B) to win the Cecil Cup.

The Division One side proved just too strong for their Division Two opponents to lift the trophy for the second time in their history.

Their previous success was in 1981 and they were losing finalists in 1988.

David Lloyd began the match at Meadow Hill Tennis Club on Sunday with plus-37.5 handicap start, and to be sure of victory they had to bag a minimum of three games per set.

It was set up to be a close game and that an upset may be on the cards, particularly as Lostock did not field their strongest team.

But after the mixed sets Lostock were in a strong position. They won all four with just seven games conceded.

John Nuttall and Maria Fallon, and Arfat Khan and Laura Taylor looked particular strong as they dropped just one game between them.

The pattern of Lostock winning sets and David Lloyd winning games continued, but not in sufficient numbers to realistically threaten the Division One team's hold on the game.

In the men’s doubles, some resistance was provided by David Lloyd’s Dave Aruvee and Mike Smith when they took three games off Arfat Khan and Josh Sabery. And in the ladies' Karen Hosker and Sara Rowan took three games off Laura Taylor and Steph Gill.

David Lloyd’s Julie Holmes and Thersa McCarren needed to win the last set 6-0 against Laura Taylor and Steph Gill to secure victory.

But it was not to be for as Lostock secured the last set 6-4 to win the match and the cup 72-64.