Alex Lamprell cemented his place at the top of men’s tennis at Southend Lawn Tennis Club by outlasting John Harris in a three-set epic to retain his men’s singles title.

Lamprell edged a gripping battle 7-6 6-7 7-6 in two hours 40 minutes to win his seventh championship. Young Alex, who also beat the veteran Harris in their previous two meetings, has now triumphed in each of the last four years.

Elsewhere, Jo Day regained her Ladies Singles Championship by overcoming Viv Scanlon 6-4 6-0 to claim her fifth overall. Day also won the Ladies Doubles as she teamed up with Sandy Bysouth to beat Anne-Marie Driscoll & Viv Scanlon 6-3 6-3. A third title was secured in the Mixed Vets Doubles as she partnered husband Jim to gain revenge on their conquerors from 12 months ago and defending champions Viv Scanlon & David Hill, 6-2 7-6. However it was not to be in her other two finals - the Ladies Veterans Doubles went to Viv Scanlon & Sandy Bysouth who beat Anne-Marie Driscoll & Jo 6-4 3-6 6-0 and the Mixed Doubles was claimed by Anne-Marie Naylor & James Driscoll who prevailed over Jo & Graham Wells 6-2 5-7 7-5.

Father and son duo of John & David Harris beat defending champions Graham Wells & Kevin Barrs 6-7 6-4 6-4 to clinch the Men’s Doubles Championship. David Harris was also the victor in the Men’s Singles Plate as he beat David Hill 6-2 6-4. Hill was also defeated by Graham Wells in the Men’s Vets Singles 6-2 6-4.

The weekend was rounded off by Jim Day & Graham Wells who claimed the Men’s Vets Doubles for the second straight year over Kevin Barrs & Tim Padbury 4-6 6-2 6-2.