Hitchin Tennis Club's first team have vowed to keep battling for second place after runaway leaders Orchard wrapped up the Datchworth summer league title with two weeks to spare. 

Hitchin 1s can still finish as runners-up in Division 1 despite a 2-1 defeat by Wheathampstead on Monday night. They topped the table earlier in the season but have struggled with consistency. Welwyn are currently second but Hitchin are level on sets with third-placed Wheathampstead and still have two matches remaining this season.

On Monday, after narrowly losing the opener, Olga Bohuszewicz and Paul Morris won the second set 7-6, but Morris and Finn Firth were unable to triumph in the decider.

Hitchin 3s gained a valuable set in their battle against relegation despite a 2-1 defeat by Divison 3B leaders Codicote 2s.

In a match in which every set finished 7-6, captain Suji Owen, making her much-anticipated return from injury, partnered Andy Morrison to victory in the opener. Owen and Tim Boughen were narrowly edged out in the second set before a repeat in the men's doubles decider.

Jack Grove's second team were the only Hitchin side to record a win during Monday night's round of matches, beating Orchard 2s 2-1 in a result that keeps them clear of the relegation dogfight in Division 3A. 

However, Hitchin 4s, in a rearranged match on Wednesday night, beat Legends 4s 3-0 away from home, leaving them just one set away from taking the Division 6A title. Jon Harris's team have already secured promotion to the fifth tier.

Hitchin 5s, who were hosting Watton 5s in Division 7A, lost a tight match 2-1. Sarah Custance's team are still on track for promotion but have lost ground on divisional leaders Codicote 7s.

Hitchin 6s' Division 8A promotion showdown with Knebworth 7s lived up to the hype, if not providing the result Holly Hourihan's team desired.

An incredible second set went right to the wire – and could prove a defining point in both team's seasons. Hitchin had comfortably won the opener but, with both sides knowing the high stakes involved, the second teetered this way and that as neither team were able to take control.

Just as it looked like Knebworth might break Hitchin's serve and take the set, Alice Mullan delivered a stunning ace to take it into a tiebreak – ramping up the tension further. Hitchin then stormed to a 3-0 lead but fell back again and were eventually eased out 7-5. 

Knebworth rode that momentum in the third set, easily beating Ben Page and Paul Taylor 11-2 to take the match 2-1. Hitchin now trail second-placed Knebworth by 2 sets with both teams still to play divisional champions St Margaretsbury 4s. Only two teams will be promoted.