NANTWICH Tennis Club coach Nicola Herbert has hailed some of the outfit's young stars as an 'inspiration' to others.
The experienced coach is delighted at the progress of some of her youngsters who excelled in the Cheshire Mini-Tennis Competition 2006/07.
In particular, James Bloomer, seven, and nine-year-olds Maddie Pollen, Luke Gidion and Jamie Oakes made it to the finals.
James came fourth overall in the Boys' Red category, Luke Gidion made it to the quarter-finals in the Boys' Orange section, Maddie was runner-up in the Girls' Orange contest, and Jamie finished in second place in the Boys' Green event.
Nicola said: 'All these children train very hard with their tennis, most playing three-four times per week. It is a credit to the club to have such talented and enthusiastic players, competing in events throughout Cheshire.
'Hopefully this will inspire other young tennis players to have the same determination to do well in the sport.'
Other players to perform well were: Seven-year-olds Polly Holden and Ethan Bessell; eight-year-olds Matthew Whittaker and Ciara McClellan; nine-year-olds Ashley Hallam and Victoria Bancroft; and Caroline Bromley, 10.
Meanwhile, a pair of Nantwich Tennis Club stars both narrowly missed glory at the British Open Veterans Championships, at Bournemouth.
In the Women's O50s, British international Sue Winters, of Haslington, reached the final without dropping a set but lost 6-1, 6-4 to number one seed Sally Freeman.
In the Over 70s section, unseeded Alma A'Court lost to number one June Pearce 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 in the final.
For information on Nantwich Tennis Club call Nicola Herbert on 01270 528072.
