The temperature at Wickford's finals day may not have hit 100 degrees as it did last year but the action was still hot.

Full stretch - Craig George returns the ball on his way to winning the men's singles Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

For the third year running the men's final was fought out between brothers Neil and Craig George.

After a two-hour battle current Essex winter champion Craig overcame his sibling 4-6 6-1 7-6 with a third set tie-break.

Defending ladies singles champion Karen Poole was forced to concede this year's final to Kathy Abbott due to injury.

Debbie Oakman began her quest to win three finals by partnering Debbie Rose to a 6-4 6-4 win over Trisha Goddard and Pat Baker in the ladies' doubles.

The bid came off the rails in the Colin Young Mixed Doubles trophy, where Oakman and partner Cliff Warrick lost 6-3 6-4 to Craig George and Isobel Crawford.

She then partnered Neil George in the Clark Trophy Mixed Doubles where Crawford, partnering Jon Guppy, claimed her second trophy courtesy of a 6-0 6-1 win.

The men's doubles title was awarded to Stewart Clark and Neil George when Craig George's partner failed to turn up.

Published Thursday August 12, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo