WESTCLIFF High School for Girls are celebrating after securing success on the tennis court.

The Year 9 and 10 team won all their matches to be crowned regional champions in the Aegon Schools Tournament, while the Year 7 and Year 8 squad finished as runners-up.

And the girls’ head of PE Ruth Wilkin was full of praise for the youngsters.

“It’s been great to have this success,” said Wilkin.

“After having signed up for the LTA’s school of tennis scheme, we retained the services of Southend Parks head coach Andy Magrath.

“He coached the Aegon schools teams and worked with our chosen tennis ambassadors to promote participation among the younger pupils via extra-curricular tennis sessions.

“Andy is highly experienced and the girls have really enjoyed the sessions and have learned a lot.

“Alongside this programme we entered four teams into the Aegon Schools Tennis Tournament, with the top teams going on to play at the regional finals.

“The Year 10 team won all their matches to be crowned regional champions, while the Year 7 and 8 team were runners-up.

“It’s been brilliant to see them doing so well.”

Westcliff’s squad consisted of Faye Martin, Robyn Stone, Niamh Rayment and Bonnie McGhee in the Year 10 team and Afiah Okyere-Sarfo, Rose Chapman, Hattie Robinson and Isha Aggarwal-Stanbridge in the younger of the two squads.