Westcliff Hardcourts have been crowned men's champions of Essex after the Division One title went down to the wire.

Hardcourts faced Thorpe Bay in the showdown. The original fixture was postponed by rain and when the two teams met at the Hardcourts the weather again had a say.

The first round of matches were played at The Ridgeway club, but with rain falling the acrylic courts became too slippery so the match switched to Thorpe Bay.

Eventually the Westcliff team of Richard Barham, Simon Bonham, Nick Plappert, Simon Chesher, Andy Bacon and Jeremy Harvey triumphed 6-3.

Thorpe were represented by Jon Lee, Simon Cuthbert, Dave Tubbs, Graham Bloomfield, Andrew Ferguson and Lee Blackman.

The veterans from the Hardcourts are also on course to retain their Essex Over-55 Division One title after defeating Brentwood Lawn 7-1.

The team of Bob Hammond, Bob Sharpe, Ian Pitt and Martin Jefferies only need to win two more sets in their final match against Buckhurst Hill on Sunday to be champions again.

Published Thursday October 24, 2002