Good news for our Essex Mens team. The winter season has come to an end and our team have finished top of Division 2 of the Essex Open Doubles League which means promotion back to Division 1 next winter season. Well done to all the players involved – Dan Sanderson (captain), Anthony Weingarten, Dan Thrale, Adam Groves, Aaron Hilsum, Mark Gregory, Steve Wynn, Tim Wilcock and Graham Boosey.

Commiserations to our teams in the finals of the Essex Winter Cup competitions. Unfortunately both the Mens and Ladies Senior teams had to settle for the runners up positions this time around. Well done though to all players for reaching the final stages and thanks to club members who came along to support.

Well done to club members who reached the final stages of the Winter Southend & District Individual Tournaments 2019/2020. Congratulations to Dan Thrale who is the new Mens Open Singles champion after a straight sets win in the final, whilst Sarah Ball & Cally Flinders were successful in the Ladies Senior Doubles event. Commiserations to runners up Dan Thrale & Graham Boosey in the Mens Open Doubles, Kevin Eley in the Mens Senior Doubles, Marg Rimmer in the Ladies Senior Doubles and finally Rowland Swain & Cally Flinders in the Mixed Senior Doubles.

A lovely sunny day for our Winter Handicap Doubles Finals. Well done to all the pairs who made it to the finals and congratulations to the eventual winners of each event, Ashley Eastwood & Tom Reader in the Mens Doubles, Chrissie Christou & Karen Clark in the Ladies Doubles and finally Dan Thrale & Tash Hilsum in the Mixed Doubles.

Congratulations to our club captain Steve Wynn who has received a Lifetime Achievement award from Essex Tennis. The award was presented by Essex President Richard Lehman at the Essex AGM. We nominated Steve in the Lifetime Achievement category of the LTA Awards scheme to mark thirty years as Westcliff Lawn’s Club Captain. In addition to this, Steve has been involved in various roles for Essex Tennis for almost twenty years, currently serving as Chairman of the Essex Competitions Committee. He has also run Southend & District tournaments for many years and this year will referee the Penzance Open Tournament for the 25th consecutive year. And of course Steve plays regularly for both club and county teams. Having been selected as county winner of the award, Steve’s nomination now goes forward to a regional shortlist, where a judging panel will choose regional winners who then go on to be considered for a national award. So very well done Steve, and good luck at the next stage!

A successful run of festive events in December including a Seasonal Drinks Night, Christmas crafting and cookery, plus some tennis when the weather permitted!  Thanks to all those involved in organising events, in particular, Bill, Mark and Julian for the Seasonal Drinks, and Sheila, Tash, Andrea and Jaki for the crafting and cookery.  Plus all those who came along to one or more of the events to join in the fun!

Bill Dixon officially “opened” our new floodlights and courts 9 & 10 prior to Ashley & Lisa’s Pie Night attended by 50 members. Steve thanked Bill and Mark once again for all their hard work on our latest refurbishment project. Many thanks as well to Ashley and Lisa for providing delicious pies for everyone, and to all those who supported the event and helped on the night.

This year we opted for a night at the tennis club with cocktails and canapés.  Over 60 people attended and the club championship trophies were presented by club president, Bob Guthrie.  Anthony Weingarten collected the Men Singles trophy as well as the Mens Doubles trophy with partner, Adam Groves.

Congratulations to our end of season American Tournament winners Nicola and Aaron who received the Beresford Marshall Memorial Trophy.

Congratulations to club member Dan Thrale who has won the National Police Mens Singles Championships 2019! Dan had to return the WLTC Mens Singles trophy last weekend after 7 years of success in the event came to an end but he promptly replaced the empty spot on his mantelpiece with this new trophy! A great achievement!