ROBERT Carter and Ryan Peniston went undefeated as they emerged victorious in the Essex Tennis Christmas Men’s Invitation Doubles Tournament.

The tournament, which was held at the Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre, saw four pairings go head-to-head in a round robin event.

Essex senior men’s captain Jamie Willson organised the competition along with Essex Tennis performance officer Graham Ray.

The event featured some of the successful Essex senior men’s team players who had recently competed in the LTA National Winter Singles team event for their county in Bath.

Local up-and-coming stars Peniston and Thomas Pudney, along with Henry Patten, had returned for the Christmas period after their successful endeavours in the United States, where they are involved in the collegiate university tennis system.

Meanwhile, Carter has been striving for success in tournaments abroad and Edward Pudney is showing the benefits of playing full time tennis in Suffolk.

Two local pairings went head-to-head in the first round, as Carter and Peniston took on Sam Bayda and Thomas Pudney.

Carter and Peniston proved to be too strong for their opponents and ran out convincing winners.

In a closer contest, Patten and David Wright saw off Matthew Pearce and Edward Pudney.

Carter and Peniston made it two wins from as many encounters when they defeated Pearce and Edward Pudney in the second round.

The other clash saw Patten and Wright’s skill and power come to the fore as they overcame Bayda and Thomas Pudney.

Results in the previous two rounds meant that the undefeated pairs of Carter and Peniston and Patten and Wright were hurled into battle for a winner takes all third round clash.

The tennis was of an extremely high standard, with Carter and Peniston emerging as the winners due to their controlled power play and serving dominance.

Victory meant that Carter and Peniston were in an unassailable position and ran out worthy winners of the whole event.

Willson presented the winning duo with their prize money following the tournament.

The Wooden Spoon match featured Pearce and Edward Pudney, who faced Bayda and Thomas Pudney.

Friendly brotherly rivalry was eminent in the match and, in what proved to be the closest match of the day, Pearce and Edward Pudney were triumphant in three closely fought sets.