THERE was some excellent tennis played as Braintree Tennis Club held their 24th Open Men's Doubles tournament and there are a couple of familiar names on the trophy this year.
The tournament was won for the third time by Matt and Joe Doe from Castle Hedingham Tennis Club.
A total of 16 pairs from clubs including the Essex, Great Baddow, Bures, Marconi and Braintree competed in three groups in the robin-robin stages.
Unbeaten in their respective groups were Ash Baker and Ieuan Lister, Matt and Joe Doe and Dan Gilliver and Joe Shipton as they went through to the semi-finals together with Brad Doe and Dane Beagrie as the best runners-up.
Baker and Lister were drawn against Braintree Gilliver and Shipton, with the home pair pulling out all the stops to win 6-2 to earn their place in the final.
The second semi was a family affair with Brad Doe and his partner Beagrie taking on his brothers Matt and Joe Doe. Despite a valiant effort by Brad and Beagrie, though, they were unable to topple the more experienced pair, who won 6-2.
There was some outstanding tennis in the final with Gilliver and Shipton taking the first set 7-5, before the Does fought back to take the second 6-2.
It led to a championship tie break to decide the match.
Both pairs had chances to take the title, but in the end the Doe brothers triumphed 12-10.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here