Simon Bonham defeated Richard Barham 6-4 6-4 to take the men's singles title at Westcliff Hardcourts' finals.

The standard of play was high as befits two players who are of county standard, but Bonham's superior matchplay gave him the edge in the final.

Gemma Garvey made a recovery in the second set of the ladies' singles final after losing 6-0 in the first against Anna Burton. Yet Burton was able to hold out to take the second 7-5.

Bonham took his second honour of the day when he teamed up with Lance Owen in the men's doubles final. They enjoyed a 6-3 6-3 win over Simon Chesher and Nick Plappert.

Fiona Stone and Tracey Chesher had a comfortable 6-1 6-1 win over Sue Blackshaw and Brenda Corlett to take the ladies' doubles title.

Chesher took the mixed doubles too when she teamed up with husband Simon to beat Trevor Stone and Anna Burton 6-2 6-3.

Two promosing younger players who caught the eye at The Ridgeway club's finals were Brad Hallett and Will Self.

(Right)Andrew Ferguson - in the U18 boys singles

(Left) Simon Cuthbert - claimed two final victories

Pictures: ROBIN WOOSEY

Mac attack sees off Kev

Greg McDonald has been crowned men's singles champion at Hockley after defeating Kevin Eley 3-6 6-0 6-3.

He then added the men's doubles trophy to his collection by teaming up with Paul Skinner. They defeated David Edward and Stuart Rowson 6-2 7-6.

Victoria Mills took the ladies' singles title with a 6-0 6-4 win over Kate Bennett, while the ladies' doubles was won by Gill Ayres and Pat Reeves.

They saw off the challenge of Val Birrell and Kirstin Mills 6-1 6-2.

No joy for John

Essex's over-55 team came away empty-handed against Yorkshire in the National Over-55 League after losing 4-1 on events.

Westcliff Hardcourts' John Harris lost 7-6 in the third after a two-hour singles match.

Also making the journey to Hallamshire, near Sheffield, were Thorpe Bay's Geoff Burdett and Connaught duo Eddie Rooks and David Tomlinson.

The latter was called in to replace the Hardcourts' Bob Hammond who was injury.

Chigwell crushed

Westcliff Lawn had a resounding win against David Lloyd Chigwell in Essex League Division One.

Diana Carradus, Hazel Wynn, Gill Sanderson, Vanessa Powell, Karen Rivers and Sarah Ball won 14-4 on sets.

It's triple joy for champ Kirsten

There was triple success for Kirsten Rutt at Thorpe Bay's finals.

She came away with three major trophies at the event which was held on Saturday and Sunday.

Rutt started off by beating Chloe Taylor in the ladies singles.

The duo then teamed up to beat Kris Newbury and Lucy Lauretta 6-2 6-2 in the ladies doubles.

Rutt finished off her top trophy trio by partnering Simon Cuthbert in the mixed doubles, where they defeated Taylor and David Tubbs 6-3 6-4.

Cuthbert tasted glory in the men's doubles where he joined club coach Jon Lee to beat Tubbs and Graham Bloomfield 6-2 6-3.

But Tubbs got his revenge in the men's singles by beating Cuthbert 6-2 6-3 to win the trophy.

Ashley Tyrrell and David Watson shone in the junior evetns, showing great promise for the future.

Club members fought out 33 finals over the weekend in matches ranging from under-ten boys singles to mixed veterans handicap doubles.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.