South Essex players had mixed fortunes when they took part in the Essex County LTA winter tournament finals at Redbridge.

David Lloyd Basildon's Carey Willson led the charge with a hat-trick of titles on Sunday crowned by the men's singles trophy after beating Adam Webb 6-2 6-2.

He partnered Richard Stephens to claim the men's doubles by beating John Pearce and Tom Rinker 3-6 6-3 6-4.

Carey then teamed up with Clinton Coleman to see off Westcliff Hardcourt duo John Handelaar and Simon Chesher 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 in a hard-fought over-35s doubles final. John also went down 7-5 6-1 to Colin Minter in the over-45 singles.

Southend Lawn's Sara Needham had the easiest route possible to the ladies singles title - she won with a walkover against Denise Suleman.

The final south Essex success came from the Hardcourts' John Harris and Trevor Stone, who took the over-45 doubles by beating R Thomas and Phil O'Leary 6-4 6-4.

There was finals disappointment for Westcliff Lawn's Hazel Wynn, who went down 6-3 6-1 to Linda Gladman in the over-35s singles. Dawn Handelaar and Karen Poole returned to Westcliff Hard empty-handed after crashing 6-1 6-0 to Jane Taylor and Pat Wire in the over-40s doubles.

Thorpe Bay's Keith Palmer and Jeff Burditt put up a brave fight in the over-55 doubles before going down 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-2 to Eddie Rooks and Rod Petchey.

Published Thursday, March 21, 2002