FRINTON and Lexden were the overall winners of this year's North Essex Junior Squash League.

Some exciting and closely-fought matches had taken place between six local clubs.

Aside from the winners, they were Harwich Sportscentre, Ardleigh Squash Club, Holmwood House School and Wick Lodge Junior Squash Club.

The year six and under team matches took place first.

Firm favourites for the under-11 title Lexden then played Frinton and, in a surprise turnaround, promptly lost by the margin of three games to one, with only Lexden's number three able to win against Frinton's Francesca Speight.

Close rivals Holmwood House then won fairly comfortably against a young and inexperienced Wick Lodge side 4-0.

This put the pressure right back on Lexden and, despite a very brave performance from Wick Lodge, they duly emerged the victors with a similarly convincing win 4-0.

This led to the exciting position of both Holmwood House and Lexden finishing on 486 points.

Lexden were then declared the winners - given an extra point as they had beaten Holmwood in the previous round.

For more, see today's Gazette.