Helen Crook from Basildon won the ladies doubles and was the runner up in the ladies singles when at the latest LTA Womens Satellite tournament was played at Frinton.

The ladies singles final was a unique affair with two Essex players in action. Sam Smith, the former British No.1. before injury last year, took on Helen Crook.

The title in this tournament, which provides valuable world ranking points, went to Sam, a 6-3,6-0 winner.

To reach the final Helen beat N.Egorova (Russia) 6-1,6-4 in the quarter final and J.Mens (Holland) 6-4, 6-1 in the semi-final.

Before this tournament Helen was ranked No.11 in Great Britain.

She captured the ladies doubles title with partner Vicky Davies from North Wales.

The pair had been in good form recently having qualified for the ladies doubles at Wimbledon.

In Saturday's final at Frinton they beat M.Joubert (South Africa) and N.Sewell (Australia 6-2,6-4), and this success is likley to help both Helen and Vicky progress up the world doubles rankings.

Helen is due to join the Essex ladies team who play in Group 1 of County Week at Eastbourne this week. The Essex men play in Group 2 at Nottingham.

A huge entry of over 300 players have entered this years Essex Open Junior Tennis tournament which starts on Monday at the Gidea Park club.

There was a small increase in entries from last year in the tournament which has record prize money thanks to new sponsors Huggett Gregg & Co from Rainham.

The mens 21 singles looks likely to produce a top quality final with leading Essex players Tom Higgins and Simon Harston seeded to meet in the final.

Higgins, a member at Gidea Park, who recently moved up the world rankings is No.1. seed with Harrison who is now moving into full time tennis as No.2. seed.

Clearview members Melanie Hall and Catherine Norman are No.4. and 5 seeds in the 21 singles.

Janice Torr from Billericay is the No.4 seed in the 16 singles and No.6 in the 18 singles. Sam Pedder from Cranston Park is the No.5. in the boys 16 singles.

Ben Higgins of Gidea Park is among the seeds in the boys 14's while other local players Katie Howson, Emma Kitchen and Emma Priest are all seeded in the girls 14's.

Ben Pritchard of Gidea Park is seeded No.3 in the boys 12's while clubmate Mark Weatherup is the No.8.

Emma Kitchen is the top seed in the girls 12's and favourite in the boys 10's is Ben Levi from Gidea Park.

Play starts on Monday and will continue all week.

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