The Southend Winter Series Masters finals day was held at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre.

All players taking part had earned their place by gaining circuit points accrued over the series.

The top four players in each category played in the morning for a place in the afternoon finals. Results:

Boys 4.1 - 5.2: Andy Freeman beat Richard Portsmouth 6-7, 6-2, 6-4; Lee Bellchambers beat Michael Pawcewitz 6-1, 6-3; Freeman beat Bellchambers 6-3, 6-4.

6.1 - 6.2: John Morris beat Cameron Wiggins 6-2, 6-7, 6-2. Morris beat Danny Cox 6-0, 6-3.

7.1 - 7.2: Alec Murrell beat Joe Levey 1-6, 6-3, 6-4; Alex Bell beat Daniel Schade 2-6, 6-1, 6-3; Bell beat Murrell 6-3, 6-1.

Girls 4.1 - 5.2: Rebecca Garner beat Jenny Bate 6-1, 6-2; Amy Cockell beat Kirsty Eaton 6-3, 6-4; Garner beat Cockell 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

6.1 - 6.2: Claire Dixey beat Carla Bell 0-6, 6-3, 6-2; Waller beat Dixey 6-1, 6-3.

7.1 - 7.2: Jenny Barham beat Faye Dixey 6-0, 6-0; Rosanna Dellow beat Joanne Chapman 6-3, 6-3; Barham beat Dellow 7-5, 7-5.

Presentation were made by John Innocent, vice-president of the Southend and District LTA.

They were the finals day sponsors and were rewarded with excellent tennis. The Series aims to encourage tennis at all levels by providing match play experience for ratings purposes.

Long stretch - winner Andy Freeman

Pictures: ROBIN WOOSEY Tracy's treble win dominates

Tracy Chesher pulled off a superb triple title triumph when the Southend and District LTA winter finals were staged at Hockley Tennis Club.

Tracy captured the ladies' singles and doubles crown and mixed doubles - the latter when partnered by husband Simon.

In the singles she displayed her superb all court game to great effect to beat Kirsten Warner 7-5, 6-3.

In the ladies' doubles it was another straight sets success with Tracy and Natalie Bell winning 6-4, 6-3 against Kirsten Warner and Chloe Taylor.

The Cheshers then saw off Kerry Willson and Natalie Bell 6-3, 6-2 in the mixed doubles.

Richard Barham won the men's singles for the fourth year running, but only after a struggle against Simon Chesher.

He took the first set, but then lost seven games in a row and was 3-0 down in the third.

However, Barham eventually won 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Back from injury Simon Bonham teamed up with Nick Plappert for a 6-2, 6-4 win over Barham and Brian Rivers in the men's doubles.

Other winners:

Mixed doubles over 35 - Steve Wynn and Gillian Sanderson. Ladies singles plate - Karen Rivers. Mixed doubles plate - R Peters and Karen Poole. Men's doubles plate - S Higgins and M Scarfe. Ladies doubles - Karen Poole and Janet Allnatt. Men's doubles veterans - Brian Rivers and Graham Goodale. Mixed doubles - John Harris and Dawn Handelaar.

Hat-trick - for Tracy Chesher Leigh Winter jinx continues

The Leigh and Westcliff Men's Winter Cup has never been won by Leigh since its formation 10 years ago.

That record, sadly, will continue after they lost by three sets to one in the semi-final clash with Rayleigh.

In a very close match Leigh and Westcliff chairman Roger Chambers, partnering Phil Alderton, just got the so vital set in a tie break.

Gary Comes, just back into tennis following a nasty injury, did well to earn his club's final place.

The final will be in the week commencing April 3 with Invicta or Hockley providing the opposition. Rayleigh will have home advantage.

The ladies semi-final saw Kent Elms beat Leigh 4-0 in a match played in all sorts of weather conditions - rain, sunshine, sleet and snow.

The start was delayed by a storm of large white hailstones that left the court covered in nearly a quarter-of-an-inch of white slush. The sun came out and an hour of play was possible before rain set in.

Despite being 4-2 down in the opening set, Kent Elms' Mandy White and Brenda Lincoln beat Stephanie Haddrell and Helen Sharpe 6-4, 6-2.

New member Sue Lemaire then teamed up with Cezara Dane to see Kent Elms to a clean sweep with a 6-0, 6-1 success. They now meet the ladies from Thorpe Bay in the 7pm final on Wednesday, April 7.

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