THE Southend & District LTA junior grands prix started its summer season with the first round at Rochford tennis club.

Sunday’s action started with the mini tennis green (U10) boys’ and girls’ combined leagues. Rochford’s Ben Ford was drawn against Jordan Farrell of Rayleigh. Jordan took the first set in the tie break for 5-4, but Ben claimed the second set with a tie break victory to level the match. The match was settled by a champions tie break and saw Ben win 7-5 to get himself off to a winning start in group B.

Southend Lawn’s Chloe Smith faced Joanna Rimmington from Hockley in Group C. Joanna took the first set 4-0, but was made to work harder in the second, despite the score line of 4-1. In group A, Ben Mason of Westcliff Hard got off to a winning start against Gregory Oxlade from David Lloyd Southend with a 4-2 4-0 win to take the early top spot.

The girls’ U12s saw Jessica Bunting of Westcliff Hard face a tough opener against Hockley’s Julia Edwards. It seemed like Jess would get an easy win after her first set victory of 6-2. But Julia claimed the second set 6-4 and take the match to a champions tie-breaker. This was a tentative affair which Jessica eventually won 10-6.

Alice Boston of Deanes claimed the top spot after the first round of fixtures with a 6-2 6-3 win over Westcliff Lawn’s Sacha Jonas.

In the U14’s Vicky Wilson from David Lloyd powered her way to victory with some very strong serves over Hayley Needs from Westcliff Hard. Hayley did all she could to defend against Vicky’s strong serving and put up a good fight before losing 6-2 6-1, although spectators reckoned Hayley deserved to earn a few more games for her determined effort.

The match of the round in the U16s came from Rayleigh’s Amy Mower, who faced Shannon Wood of Rochford in the opening game. Shannon coasted to an early lead of 3-0, but then Amy fought back to get a 4-3 lead. With both girls holding serve, the set finished 6-6 and was decided by a tie break. Shannon managed to get ahead and claim that 7-5 and take the first set. Amy then took an early second set lead, before Shannon levelled. This looked as if it would go to a tie breaker, but Shannon stole a break of serve and claimed the set 6-4 and with it the match.

The next round is at David Lloyd Southend on Sunday, June 13.

Other results Mini Green (U10): Matthew Warner v Vivek Soares 5-3 4-1, Joanna Rimmington v Ross Grootears 4-0 4-0, Jordan Farrell v Ben Ford 5-4 4-5 5-7, Matthew Basham v Luke Simson 4-0 4-0, Ben Mason v Gregory Oxlade 4-2 4-0, Aaron Gordon v Fraser Ames 4-1 4-0, Bradley Gordon v Harvey Franklin 4-2 4-2, Chloe Smith v Joanna Rimmington 0-4 1-4, Archie Davies v Nathaniel Turner 1-4 1-4. Girls’ U12: Alice Boston v Sacha Jonas 6-2 6-3, Sabina Mack v Abbie Rex 6-3 6-3, Jessica Bunting v Julia Edwards 6-2 4-6 10-6, Alice Lacey v Joanna Rimmington 6-3 6-1. Girls’ U14: Jessica Rimmington-Cross v Amelia Reeves 7-5 2-6 11-13, Sabina Mack v Hannah Jones 2-6 0-6, Vicky Wilson v Hayley Needs 6-2 6-1, Katie Willis v Alissa Bass 0-6 0-6, Tany Bass v Julia Edwards 6-2 4-6 8-10, Hannah Jones v Alice Lacey 6-4 6-1. Girls’ U16: Molly Randle v Olivia Woolston 6-0 6-0, Hayley Jones v Elle Wilson 0-6 0-6, Shannon Wood v Amy Mower 7-6 6-4, Emily Robinson v Emily Watts 1-6 0-6, Olivia Woolston v Holly Knight 6-3 2-2 (Play abandoned due to rain).