THE Essex have stretched their lead at the top of the Colchester and District Tennis League men's premier division.

They enjoyed an emphatic 9-0 home victory over second-placed Frinton A, in their crucial top-of-the-table clash.

Division two pace-setters Spring Lane B were comfortable 7-2 winners at Dedham B.

In division three, West Mersea A earned an impressive 8-1 victory at Spring Lane D while Wivenhoe B ran out 5½-3½ winners at home to East Bergholt in division four.

Lexden R&F B secured a tightly-contested 5-4 victory at Frinton B in ladies’ division one.

In division three, West Mersea and Spring Lane B came face-to-face twice in seven days, with both teams earning home victories.

Spring Lane were 6-3 winners before West Mersea exacted revenge with a close-fought 5-4 success.

Kirby B’s hopes of promotion from division four were boosted by a 7-2 win at Spring Lane C.

In division five, Spring Lane’s D team suffered a heavy 9-0 loss against a ruthless Colchester Officers’ Club B.

Division five also saw another 9-0 away victory, with Frinton D triumphing in emphatic fashion at Colchester Officers’ Club C.

Spring Lane D also tasted victory at the Officers’ Club’s C team, albeit by a much narrower 5-4 scoreline.

The Essex A’s pursuit of the Mixed Premier Division title was enhanced substantially with an impressive 8-1 win at closest challengers Frinton A. Elsewhere in the premier division, Kirby A earned their first win of the season, triumphing 7-2 at home to Dedham A.

In division two, Wivenhoe A sealed a narrow 5-4 home win against Spring Lane A.

Spring Lane’s B team emerged victorious in division three at West Mersea A by a 6-3 scoreline.

Lexden Hill C suffered successive defeats in division four; a 5-4 home loss against Little Clacton was followed by a 7-2 defeat at table-toppers Colchester Officers’ Club B.

The Essex D and Wivenhoe B enjoyed comprehensive 9-0 home victories in division five.

Leaders Wivenhoe got the better of Spring Lane D whilst The Essex did likewise against Frinton D.

Elsewhere in division five there was a much closer contest between Kirby D and Wivenhoe C, with the latter prevailing 5-4 away from home.