HOLCOMBE Brook Sports Club will be fighting on two fronts in the last 16 play-offs of the National Clubs Tennis League this weekend.

Both their mens and ladies teams finished top of the North League group to reach this stage - a superb achievement.

The men defeated Wrexham 5-1 in the final league game to progress to the summit after defeating Hull, Bamford and Tennis World (Middlesbrough). Their fixture against Alkrington was rained off while they suffered just one defeat when they took on Manchester Northern with a depleted side.

The ladies concluded their league programme with a comprehensive 6-0 defeat of Huddersfield and also ran up 6-0 victories over Hallamshire, Hull, Rawden and Manchester Northern but were held to a 3-3 draw by Northumberland.

Tomorrow, at Holcombe Brook, the men play-off against Edgbaston Priory (Birmingham) for a place in the last eight national finals at Bournemouth in September.

The match commences at 12 noon and spectators are welcome in what should be a thrilling encounter.

Meanwhile, the ladies will be travelling to Birmingham's Barnt Green and although they aren't at full strength, on paper they should be strong enough to proceed.

The ladies squad, who have all played in at least two matches to date, is: Yvonne Doyle (world ranked 320), former British number four Abigail Tordoff, Julia Lutrova (Russia), Alison Smith, Gina Hilord and senior Lancashire county players Sue Lawson, Dannielle Hock, Rachael Anders, Gail Atherton, Emma Tootell, Jemma Bison and Lisa Jackson.

The mens squad consists of senior Lancashire country players: Eric Knowles, Mark Schofield, Simon Roberts, Andrew Davis, John Lister, Mark Openshaw and Robert Crass.

The club are grateful to co-sponsors Thompson Jones Accountants and Rayson Wilshaw Estate Agents whose assistance has been invaluable.