SOUTHMINSTER Tennis Club's Ladies continued their winning success with victory over Marconi’s fourth team.

Diane Caulkett and Caroline Timms played the stronger pair first and after losing the first set 6-3, pulled themselves together winning the second set 6-1.

But the scoreline did not reflect the game, which featured many long rallies and several deuce points.

The Marconi pair tired, which gave Liz Windle and Anne Wodhams an advantage over them.

However, it was not to be an easy game.

The Southminster pair won the first set but after three hours on court and with timed lights at the Marconi club, the final set came abruptly to an end.

The rules dictate that the points for that set have to be halved, regardless of who was leading at the time.

Fortunately for Southminster, Caulkett and Timms finished ten minutes before the 10pm deadline, winning both their sets to secure a 6.5-1.5 win.

Another victory swiftly followed this and in the last match of the season, Southminster beat Marconi’s third team, 6-2.

Southminster's Senior Ladies were on court on one of the hottest mornings of the week with a home match against Danbury.

Caroline Timms and Samantha Lonergan had some good rallies and won their four sets quickly.

But Diane Caulkett and Anne Wodhams were taken to two tie-breaks which they won and another long set which went to 7-5.

The heat played its part in prolonging the games but the morning ended with an 8-0 win for Southminster, the Senior Ladies' best victory to date.

Southminster's men’s first team, mixed first team and ladies all have a chance of promotion, in the Chelmsford and District League.