GRAHAM Taylor signed off his solo playing career on a high by winning the men’s singles crown at Southend Lawn Tennis Club’s finals day.

Club captain Taylor announced his retirement from singles after the experienced campaigner defeated three-time former winner Alex Lamprell following a gruelling three-set final.

The match lasted more than two hours before Taylor wore his younger rival down to claim victory.

Taylor completed a fine weekend’s work by also winning the men’s and mixed doubles, partnering Tim Padbury and Jo Day.

While Taylor scored a hat-trick of wins, Day went one better by claiming a quartet of titles.

She won the ladies singles for a second time and added the ladies’ doubles, mixed doubles and ladies veteran doubles trophies to her collection.

Essex veteran Tim Padbury contested three finals and won two of them, the men’s doubles and mixed vets doubles.

Junior members at the club, which is in Broadclyst Gardens, slugged it out in four events – three singles and one doubles.

Southend Lawn chairman Chris Lloyd said the youngsters played some outstanding tennis of a very high standard.

The trophies were presented by club president Doug Turrell.

Go to www.southendlawntennisclub.co.uk for more details of the club.