WESTCLIFF Hard’s mixed second team pulled themselves off the bottom of the Leigh & Westcliff Division Two table.

Hard took a maximum six points following their 4-0 home win over Kent Elms II, who had enjoyed a four-point lead over their hosts going into the clash.

Marc Downham and Jo Baucutt made early inroads for Hard with a 6-1 6-1 victory over Matt Freeman and Debby Lincoln.

And Dan Edwards and Jo Edwards ensured Hard climbed up to fourth in the table by beating Mark Hughes and Amanda Hughes 6-4 6-2.

David Lloyd II were unable to capitalise on Mixed Division Three leaders Rayleigh II dropping points after visitors Invicta held them to a 2-2 draw.

Invicta’s Abbie Greenwood and Andrew Tanner inflicted the early damage with a 7-5 6-1 win over Ken Bateman and Sonia Gibbons.

But Dave Nelson and Vicky Wilson salvaged three points for David Lloyd by defeating June Pearce and Chris Smith 6-2 6-2, to leave the Eastwood club five points behind Rayleigh II.

The damage was mitigated by the fact Rayleigh only increased their lead by a point as a result of their 3-2 home win over Southend Lawn II, which earned the leaders four points.

Sandy Bysouth and Mike Walker put Rayleigh on the back foot with a 6-4 1-6 6-4 win over Dot Monte and Mike Pearson.

But Cathy Chambers and Dan Wedge secured the win by beating Lawn’s Vic Scanlon and Graham Evans 7-6 6-3.