THE Essex A's Pierre Smith and Andy Reid were pushed all the way in their latest Stringers World Colchester and District Tennis League Men's Premier Division encounter.

Their opponents Mark Grover and Marcus Eatheston of Frinton competed well with the set eventually going to a tie-break, with Smith and Reid successful in securing a 5-4 win for their team.

In Division One, both Lexden Rackets and Fitness Club A and the Officers' Club B had 8-1 victories against Lexden Hill A and Spring Lane B respectively.

Lexden R & F Club B look very strong in Division Four after their second 9-0 win of the season but Lexden R & F Club C lost 7-2 in Division Five, to Wivenhoe C.

The Ladies Premier Division produced two very tight matches.

Frinton A defeated Lexden Hill A 5-4 with Jill Felsted and Amy Buxton winning a late tie-break to clinch the victory.

Lexden R & F Club A were also 5-4 winners even though Sue Lomas and Roslyn Marriott-Cox were in sparkling form for The Essex B, winning all their three sets.

In Division One, Kirby A were beaten 8-1 by Dedham A but then Kirby managed their first win of the season when they were victorious against local rivals, Frinton B, by seven sets to two.

The Essex D had a 7-2 win against the previously unbeaten Lexden R & F Club D in Division Three while in Division Four, Colchester Officer's Club B, despite an injury to one of their players, managed a 5-4 win against Frinton C.

Frinton A beat Dedham A in the Mixed Premier Division.

Colchester Officers' Club A won 5-4 against Kirby A in Division One.

Wivenhoe B lost for the first time when going down 5-4 to Lexden Hill C in their Division Four encounter and the David Lloyd Club continued their fine start in Division Five when they beat Spring Lane D, 8-1.