BILLERICAY’S Matthew Doe won two finals after an action packed week of tennis at Thorpe Bay LTC.

Doe triumphed in the under-18 and under-16 finals after successfully working his way through to the latter stages of both sections of the annual Junior Essex County Championships.

For the 42nd year in a row, the competition was held at Thorpe Bay, with age categories competing from under eight to under-18 alongside the men’s competition.

That gave players from across Essex a chance to become county champion with 110 matches being played in just one day across 16 courts.

The tournament organisers and referees, led again by Lesley and Ian Pitt, did a fantastic job getting through the schedule each day, including managing the consequences of a washed out afternoon which saw a half day’s schedule having to be re-organised.

But the event was still able to progress smoothly to some entertaining finals.

In the men’s singles competition, Woodford Wells’ David Wright saw off Jared Linzell in what proved to be a fantastic contest.

However, there was plenty of success for more local players in the junior age-groups.

Doe, from Billericay LTC, won both the under-18 and under-16 boys finals, including an all-Billericay final against club-mate Josh Ratnage in the younger of the two age-groups.

Similarly, Nyah Kauders, from Thorpe Bay LTC, won both the under-18 and under-16 girls’ singles titles after stringing together a series of fine displays.

In the younger age groups, Shamiso Ndoro, also from Thorpe Bay, won the under-10 girls’ singles.

Kyla Eves, from Westcliff Hard, was also celebrating after winning the under nine girls singles competition.

In the under eight girls section, Daisy Edwards - from Billericay - won her final.

And a spokesman for the competition said it has been another huge success.

“The event saw a big increase in entrants this year and was a huge success for all involved,” said the spokesman.

“It was great to see so many people taking part and enjoying their tennis.

“The matches were also of a very good standard and it was another great week.”