THORPE Bay’s first team pulled three points clear of Rayleigh at the top of Leigh & Westcliff Men’s Division One, although the Watchfield Road club have a match in hand on the top dogs.

Alan Rayner and Simon Payne defeated Steve Fleming and Max Chesher 6-0 6-3 to put Thorpe ahead in their match at Westcliff Hard.

And Brindley Piper and Trevor Brown wrapped up the 4-0 win by defeating Alan Jones and Andy Berry 6-2 6-2.

Invicta moved level with Men’s Division Three leaders Kent Elms II after a 4-0 home win over fourth-placed Southend Lawn II.

Andrew Tanner and Chris Smith defeated Mike Walker and Mick McGurgh 6-2 6-2, before Andy Deeming and Brett Deeming prevailed 6-1 6-4 against Richard Backhouse and James Majer.

Kent Elms II suffered a 4-1 reverse away to third-placed Westcliff Lawn in a match that saw the first rubber go to three sets.

But John Coleman and Dave Bonnell eventually beat Elms’ Gary Nicholls and Jason McGinley 6-0 2-6 6-2.

Andy Baucutt and Bez Berry secured the win with a 6-0 6-2 victory over Jan Thorpe and Richard Spence.

Westcliff Hard leapfrogged Deanes in Men’s Division Six to dump the Thundersley club at the foot of the table.

Ladies’ Division Three basement club Southend Lawn II held second-placed Thorpe Bay III to a 2-2 draw.

Elaine Klien and Elaine Murray defeated Gill Lloyd and Charlotte Marshall 7-6 6-0, but Lawn hit back with Viv Scanlon and Sophie Scanlon beating Stephanie Moon and Margaret Tubbs 6-2 6-0.

Hockley put themselves 10 points clear at the top of Mixed Division Six following their 4-0 triumph away to Kent Elms V.

Peter McQuibban and Mary Baker put Hockley ahead by beating Bruce Duffield and Pat Rogers 6-3 6-1, before Kate Bennett and Anthony Millington saw off Andy Wayman and Dawn Collins 6-2 6-3.