MEMBERS of Southminster Tennis Club battled it out in the Brian Beale tournament.

Twelve players competed and six mixed pairs of almost equal standard fought for the trophy.

Playing nine games against every pair and with short deuces the matches were tight and exciting.

Last year’s winners Liz Windle and Arthur Thurtle were keen to win again but some tenseness at the beginning of the day caused them to give vital points away.

Brett Allan and his partner Felice Monk were doing well but Allan suffered an injury and, in spite of struggling on, they failed to reach their potential.

By the last round there were no clear winners and it all seemed to hinge on one match, Caroline Timms and Jim Cordes against Aidan Monk and Anne Wodhams.

Monk and Wodhams won that and with 27 points took the trophy.

Diane Caulkett and Dennis O’Mahoney and Liz Windle and Arthur Thurtle were joint runners-up with 26 points each.

Brian Beale presented the trophies and the club thanked him for organising the tournament.

The matches in the Chelmsford and District League have now finished.

The men’s first team and the mixed seconds stand in a good position for promotion and the ladies may just be lucky, the final results will be announced next month.

Next Sunday sees the start of the Winter Series where a round robin competition is held.

Organised by John Pipe and enjoyed by all members it is always well supported.