Westcliff Lawn set the early pace

12:06pm Thursday 26th June 2008

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WESTCLIFF Lawn had double reason to celebrate this week as they took an early lead in both their Southend & District LTA league tables.

Lawn's Ladies got off to a flying start with a 5-0 rubber win over Rochford.

Sarah O'Sullivan took the singles 64 7-6 after beating Louise Fletcher in a close game under the high noon sun, while Lyn May earned a 6-1 6-0 victory over Sophie Scanlon.

S Ball and J Milner won 6-3 6-4 over Rochford's Amy Plews and Suzanne Ellis to claim a 3-0 victory in the first round of rubbers.

In the second round, the singles players paired up to play each other's team doubles players, in which Westcliff won both rubbers 6-1 6-1 and 6-2 6-0 to complete a 5-0 victory and take them to the top of the table.

In the Men's Second Division Westcliff claimed a 4-1 victory over Rayleigh II to take the top spot in the league.

Steve Higgins earned Rayleigh a championship point with his 7-6 6-0 win over Westcliff's Chris May, but the other rubbers all went Westcliff Lawns way to collect a 4-1 victory.

The Vets Mixed Doubles Division has yet to start, and other clubs are yet to submit their results. It will be interesting to see how new comers, Crowstone, do in their first season in the Southend District Leagues.

David Lloyd Southend had to withdraw from the Ladies' league, as they were unable to get any ladies interested in playing singles.

But the league has received some positive news as David Lloyd Basildon, Wickford and Thurrock have shown an interest in joining the championships.

Although none have confirmed their participation, the league secretary is in discussions with all clubs with a view to joining next summer's championships.

The men's league champions will qualify for the County Districts Champions League, a new competition that is due to start this winter.

The winners of Southend District, Chelmsford District, Ilford League, Halstead District and Colchester District, will be going into a champions' league for the County Club Doubles Championship. The format and start date will be discussed at a meeting in Great Baddow during August.

Clubs interested in joining or adding teams to the Southend & District Leagues should contact Geoff Payne on 07782 157060 or email geoff@southenddistrictlta.org.uk for further info.