STEEP Lawn Tennis club has held the finals of its annual club championship tournament.

The tournament was the culmination of three months of knockout contests. In all more than 60 members competed for a place in the finals.

On the day there was intense but friendly competition for the winners’ trophies.

The men’s singles was won by Matt Fernandez, who beat Matt Thompson 6-1 7-6, and the men’s doubles was by Barry Carter and Philippe Mougin, who beat Fernandez and Thompson 6-0 7-6.

The ladies’ singles was won by Cath Lowe, who beat Anila McDonald 6-2 6-3.

The ladies’ doubles was won by default by Christine Lally and Carol Norris due to their opponents, Ann Saunders and Jeannie Crook, withdrawing due to an injury Crook picked up at a Steep match a few weeks ago.

The mixed doubles was won by Natasha Harris and Jonathan Graham, who beat ten-times former champions Saunders and Duncan Read 6-4 6-3.

Saunders, who has 25 titles to her name in 30 years of competing at Steep Lawn Tennis Club, announced that she was retiring from competitive tennis at the club.

She thanked president and former chairman Eric Dempster for his ongoing support of club finals’ days over the years, and she thanked the tournament organiser this year, Norris.

Spectators were treated to exciting tennis throughout the day, as well as a traditional English tea with homemade cakes and Pimm’s.