A THRIVING Junior Leigh & Westcliff tennis section has held their first ever external tournament.
The finals day took place at Hockley Tennis Club.
And L&W secretary Adam Paterson was delighted with the day’s play.
“It’s been a fantastic day at Hockley seeing the juniors back playing in junior leagues and now the first tournament has been amazing,” said Paterson.
“The standard today of the juniors playing both from Hockley and surrounding clubs has been so high.
“This is the future of the Leigh and Westcliff leagues and it’s so important we as coaches and as an organisation promote the juniors competing.”
Hockley’s Ben Gould won the under 12 boys final while Silviu Panfil of David Lloyd Basildon won the under 16s singles.
On the female side of the competition, Hockley’s Sophia Tame won the under 12s final while Rayleigh’s Layla Rowe trium
phed in the under 16s.
And Paterson now hopes the tournament can be run regularly.
“We had so many entries for the first year and we will look to carry out the tournament every year,” said Paterson.
“This area and county are so strong for tennis and it’s important the children put all of that talent into competition to learn the ups and down of competitive tennis.
Hockley’s Max Tyler and Ben Gould won the under 12s boys doubles final with Hockley’s Josh Noad and Liam Maskell winning the under 16s.
Thorpe Bay’s Holly Buckland and Megan Philips won the under 12s girls doubles final while Rayleigh’s Layla Rowe and Sofia Nice triumphed in the under 16s.
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