Mixed fortunes for Williams sisters (From Penarth Times)

Mixed fortunes for Williams sisters

ENTRIES for the Under-18s girls and boys Junior Championships at Penarth Lawn Tennis Club in Rectory Road were higher than ever this year.

Last year Rebecca Williams deprived Anna Symonds of her victory and in the boys event Lee Williams (no relation) overcame Rhys Morgan in a great final.

This year was a chance for Anna to turn the tables but Rebecca had other ideas. The first set took over an hour as each game was so closely fought and ended in the inevitable tie break.

Anna's tenacity paid off and after a thrilling tie break (8-6) Anna took the first set.

The second set was as keenly contested but Anna got the crucial break in the seventh game and kept her serve to win 7-6 (8-6) 6-3.

Next on court was Rebecca's sister Katie in the final of the girls U-18 Plate event. Katie took a decisive lead in the early stages to beat team mate Charlotte Evans.

The U-18 boys Plate final was contested by Max Locke and Rhys Elias which Max just managed to edge ahead to win.

The U-18s boys Championship final was between Dominic Hughes and Tom Pegg. Dominic broke Tom in the third game but Tom fought hard and broke back. Both boys were playing terrific tennis and Dominic broke again but Tom dug deep and levelled the match once again and in an amazing ninth game Tom managed to edge ahead 5-4, held his serve and took the first set 6-4. The boys continued to play great tennis and at 5-5 a tie break looked to be inevitable but against all odds Tom managed to break Dominic's serve in the 11th game and hold his serve to win the epic match to rapturous applause.