THE first of this year's four Basingstoke Junior Tennis Circuit tournaments brought success for Totally Tennis players on their own courts.

The circuit, which is sponsored by De La Rue, is designed to provide local players, aged under 14 and just starting out in competitive tennis, with opportunities on their doorstep.

More than 40 entrants took part and, after two days of match-play, every semi-finalist in the boys' event proved to be a member of the Totally Tennis Team squad.

Matthew Church lost to Harry Stow 6-4, 7-5 and, in the other semi-final, Luke Miles overcame Tom Mahoney 6-2, 6-2.

In the finals, Miles powered through to beat Stow 6-2, 7-5. Other notable performances came from Matthew Ennals, nine, and Andrew Spencer, 10, who each won their first round matches in their first-ever tournaments.

In the girls' event, Totally Tennis player Stephanie Catlin won her box to qualify for the semi-finals, as did Stephanie De Giorgio.

Catlin beat seeded Totally Tennis player Dominique Gilbert 6-4, 3-6, 10-8 to reach the final and seeded player Danielle Bean beat De Giorgio 6-3, 7-5 to go through.

In the final, Bean, the older and more experienced player, overcame Catlin 6-4, 7-5.

Totally Tennis senior coach and tournament organiser Daniel Fowkes said: "This tournament is designed to help local players compete and it was great to see so many Basingstoke players do so well.

"It was also good to see some new faces in the tournament, who were introduced through having played for Brighton Hill Community College in the Secondary Schools Tennis League.