BURNLEY had a record turn out at the Lancashire Tennis County Championships and returned from the Bolton Arena with three champions.

Mark Rushton Woods successfully defended his Under 18s title while Jez Palmer and Scott Northey pulled off a shock result to win the Men’s Over 35s doubles - having only decided to enter the competition at the last minute.

There was always going to be a Burnley presence in the doubles final as Palmer and Northey were up against clubmates Lee Stretton and Stephen Greenwood - the number two seeds and reigning champions - in the semi finals.

But it was Palmer and Northey who upset the odds, producing some superb tennis to beat Stretton and Greenwood in straight sets, winning 7-5, 6-2 to reach the final.

And there was more to come from Burnley pair as they stunned top seeds Jonathan Ash and Clive Parkinson from St Anne’s Tennis Club.

Palmer and Northey had played a number of games together at club level but never in the County Championships.

It appeared it might be one game to many for the Burnley duo as Ash and Parkinson took the first set 6-4.

But Palmer and Northey were unfazed and they hit back to take the second set 6-2 with some outstanding doubles play to take the match into a championship tie break - the first to 10 points would be County Champions.

Palmer and Northey left nothing on the court and played aggressive tennis to stun their opponents with a fantastic 10-5 win to claim the title.

Rushton Woods was in superb form to claim his second successive Under 18s title, beating number one seed Josh Taylor from Manchester.

Again, it was a breath-taking performance by the Burnley teenager to topple the favourite, controlling long rallies from the start with a series of crushing winners that left his opponent with no answer to Rushton Woods’ variety and court craft.

And cheered on by his family and clubmates, he completed a wonderful 6-2, 6-2 win.

As well as the hits, there were a few narrow misses for Burnley Tennis Club members who were encouraged to enter the championships to give them the opportunity and experience of playing against the best players from across the county.

As well as his Under 18s singles success, Rushton Woods reached the men’s doubles and open men’s singles semi-finals.

Elaine Varcoe was runner-up in the Ladies Over 35s singles while Christine Holt and Scott Northey reached the semi-finals of the Over 35s Mixed Doubles.

Lee Stretton was unlucky not to reach the men’s 35o singles final losing in the semi-finals in a tie break and Christine Holt also lost in a tie break decider after batting back from a set and 5-2 down.

Jo Heywood and Varcoe came close to shocking the number one seeds in the ladies doubles but they too lost in a tie break.

James Ashworth gave a good account of himself in both the Under 12s and Under 14s and was a beaten finalist in the U14s Consolation final.

And Lucas von Heuser Mason again proved what a fantastic player he is going to be after winning the Under Eights Consolation Cup having earlier won two of his four group games in a strong pool.

Christine Holt,Tiffany Deaville, Tom Maullin, Danny Fleming, Gia Varcoe and Marley Byrne also competed and all have good accounts of themselves.

LIGHTSLIGHTLIGHT

Christine Holt and Tiffany Deaville gave a good account of themselves in the ladies open doubles with Tom Maullin and Danny Fleming pushing their opponents all the way up against very strong opposition, And Scott Northey won through to the last 16 of the Men’s Singles and again lost on a match tiebreak third set,

Danny Fleming and Gia Varcoe up against the number 4 seeds in the first round found the going tough before bowing out.

Marley Byrne won his first round match in the 18U boys singles but was then eliminated by finalist and number 1 seed in the last 16

James Ashworth gave a good account of himself with some good performances in both the 12U and 14U boys singles and doubles; James on 11 years old reached the Consolation final for 14U boys singles and showed he is a real star of the future

Lucas von Heuser Mason again proved what a fantastic tennis player he is going to be with some strong wins in the boys 8U singles, Lucas won 2 of his 4 group games against a strong pool of players, Lucas then competed in the consolation competition which he went on to win with a 10-3 victory

The club now turns to its final 2 weeks of the summer league season and the club team finals where Burnley will be represented in every team final, in the mixed final Burnley A with play Burnley B, in the open division 1 Men’s final Burnley A will play Blackburn Northern A, in the Open division 2/3/4 Burnley D will play Blackburn D and in the Ladies Final Burnley A will play Feniscowles A

The club is looking for players of all ages and abilities to get involved in Tennis, we currently have something for everyone and the Clubs Junior Coaching programme will restart next week as the children return to school, tennis coaching available for children aged 5-16 year, and adult men and ladies

Burnley will be running 6 winter indoor tennis teams this year get in contact and find out more about the club who recently won British Tennis Club of the Year 2016

www.burnleytennisclub.co.uk