A CLUB’s tennis players relished their rallies as three weeks of competition culminated in the championship finals.

The climax of Lydney Tennis Club’s season took place in lovely warm sunshine, with Harry Hale in great form as he won his match against Matt Leach 6-2, 7-6 to lift the men’s singles title.

The ladies’ singles final between Sue Russell and club chairman Nikki Salter went into a third set, but was eventually won by Sue 1-6, 6-3, 6-1.

In the men’s doubles, Harry Hale with Matt George again got the better of Matt Leach who partnered George Ieli, the final score being 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

Kirsten Mathews and Katie Hunt also came out winners over Kayla Coopey and Rachel James in the women’s doubles, taking the title 6-4, 6-1.

The mixed doubles final saw Matt Leach hoping it was third time lucky with his partner Barbara Firman when they lined up against Sue Russell and George Davies.

It was amazing he still had any energy left, but he finally secured that elusive championship victory with Barbara 6-3, 6-1.

First final of the day was between eight-year-old Sadie Davies and ten-year-old Isabelle Voyce, with the older girl triumphing 4-1, 4-3.

The junior boys’ final was contested by Alex Crossman and Tommy Wilkins in an amazing marathon match lasting two and a half hours, which Alex finally won 5-7, 7-6, 1-0.

The junior girls’ final also saw Rachel James take the club championship title from Jess Geelhoed 6-3, 6-1.

Meanwhile, in the Gloucestershire Summer League which runs from May to August and involves home and away fixtures, Matt Leach, George Ieli, George Davies and Joe Collins pulled out all the stops to take the Division 4A title.

The men’s C team Tommy Wilkins, his dad Adam Wilkins, Josh Mathews and Paul Hutchinson also finished second in their league to earn a second successive promotion.