SOUTH Essex players faired well in the first junior tournament to be held at Great Baddow tennis club in April for some years.

Thorpe Bay's Anna Peters defeated Gemma Vango 6-2 6-2 to claim the girls' 18 and under final.

And Westcliff Hardcourts' Virunee Viravong beat Gemma Vango 7-6 (5) 6-2 to win the girls' 16 and under crown.

There was silverware too for Thorpe Bay's Georgia Wheatley, who was top seed in the girls' 14 and under section, when she beat Elle Wilson 6-3 6-1.

Other finalists included Hockley's Adam Paterson, who was the losing finalist in the boys' 18 and under final, and David Lloyd Basildon's Zainib Williams, who lost out in the girls' 11 and under final after taking top seed Angela Borowski to three sets.

Nearly 200 matches were played during the week-long event, which was the brainchild of Jane and Clive Collins, organised by Westcliff couple Lesley and Ian Pitt and refereed by Tony Connolly.

"It was very encouraging to see the quality of play in the boys 11 and under and 12 and under events. It bodes well for the future," said Lesley Pitt.

"We are all looking forward to an even more successful Tournament next year."

RESULTS (IN ORDER OF PLAY) Girls' 11 and under: Angela Borowski (1) v Zainib Williams (2) 6-3 3-6 10-6. Boys' 11 and under: James Rooke (3) v George Gray (2) 7-5 1-6 7-10. Boys' 12 and under: Andew Berry (3) v Phillipe Herman 6-2 1-6 5-10. Boys' 12 & under Con: Laurence Burrows v Jacob Edmonds 6-0 2-6 10-6. Girls' 16 and under: Virunee Viravong (1) v Gemma Vango (2) 7-6 (5) 6-2. Boys' 14 and under: Tony Akbari (5) v Sam Roy-Chowdhury (2) 0-6 2-6. Boys' 16 and under: Joe Woolerton (1) v Tom Partridge (7) 7-5 7-5. Girls' Con semi-final: Emma Johnston v Daisy Ronn 2-6 2-6. Girls' 12 and under: Angela Borowski (1) v Charlotte Cousins 6-0 6-1. Girls' 14 and under: Georgia Wheatley (1) v Elle Wilson 6-3 6-1. Boys' 18 and under: Robert Legg (3) v Adam Paterson 6-2 6-2. Boys' 15 and under: Billy Elliott & Robert Collins (1) v James Dobson & Simon Akbari (4) 6-0 6-4. Girls' 18 and under: Anna Peters (1) v Gemma Vango 6-2 6-2. Girls' Con Final: Caterina Giannotti v Daisy Ronn 1-6 0-6. Boys' 18 Doubles: Nick Evans & Robert Legg (1) v Oliver Waugh & Scott Tungatt (2) 6-2 6-2.