CLITHEROE Tennis Club gained sweet revenge on Blackburn North-ern to win the East Lancashire Tennis League Mixed Cup.

In a repeat of last year’s final, which Northern won 8-0, Clitheroe hit back to win 5-3.

Clitheroe captain Mary Brass could call on a strong team this year, Roger Ravenscroft partnered Jennifer Holgate, and Steve Pym partnered Louise Burrill.

The format saw each match played over two sets, and each pair plays both opposing pairs.

In the first round of matches, Ravenscroft and Holgate played Blackburn’s first pair Ian Broughton and Liz Maskell.

Clitheroe started quickly and won the first set 6-1 then fought back from 3-1 down in the second set to win 6-4 and give Clitheroe a 2-0 lead.

Pym and Burrill also got off to a fine start in their match against John Waddicar and Michelle Watts, winning the first set 6-2 but the Blackburn pair picked up their game and levelled the rubber and Clitheroe were 3-1 in front.

Clitheroe needed only two of the remaining four sets to win the match - and Ravenscroft and Holgate obliged by beating Waddicar and Watts 6-1 6-4.

So although Pym and Burrill lost to Blackburn number one pair 6-2 6-2, victory and revenge was already ensured.