SOUTH Essex players performed well at the annual Essex County Junior Closed Lawn Tennis Championships.

The week-long event, which features the cream of young tennis talent from around the county, took place at Thorpe Bay tennis club.

There were successes across the age groups for the south of the county, with Thomas Pudney and Andrew Berry ensuring two champions’ titles in the 14 and under events.

Thomas, who is a member with Thorpe and Garons Tennis Academy, triumphed in the boys’ singles and teamed up with Westcliff Hard’s Andrew to win the boys’ doubles crown.

Andrew got his second silverware partnering Heather Everingham to mixed doubles success.

There were three titles for Billericay’s David Wright, who won the 18 and under boys’ singles, boys’ doubles and mixed doubles events.

But Westcliff Hardcourt’s Matt Pearce stopped Wright from making it four titles by beating him in the 21 and under men’s singles.

Westcliff Hardcourts’ Faye Watts was pipped to the 21 and under women’s title by Carys Gilbert.

Gilbert’s 6-3 0-6 6-4 win over Watts meant that she won four of the round-robin matches, with Watts winning three.