Jude and Harrison star for Melton Mowbray Tennis Club youngsters

Two of Melton Mowbray Tennis Club’s junior players both had super successes recently when they both came out on top of their respective tournaments.

First success fell to mini player Jude Makins Radford, who entered his first tournament at Central and East Tour Grade 5 at Northampton.

Jude is still finding his feet in the Leicestershire County Leagues, so entering this tournament was a huge step forward for the youngster.

He came out of his initial round robin section with wins over D. Edwards 10-7, S. Reuben 10-4, K. Lilly , 10-1 and R. Sophies 10-2.

He then went into the semi-final where he was once again in determined form and ran out winner over C. Darrene by a 10-7 score that put him into the final.

In the final he found himself lined up against earlier opponent D. Edwards and, although it proved a tighter game, Jude once again came out on top by a 10-8 scoreline to collect his first tournament trophy.

Playing just a bit further away from home was the club’s leading teenager Harrison Culpan, who travelled to the prestigious London based Queens Club for a Grade 3 18 & Under Tournament.

Harrison had a really tough first round when he overcame Joe Khairrallah by a tight 7-5, 6-7, 10-4 score.

Next came his friend and club mate Zev Dewshi, and the pair had a super battle before Harrison came through after another tight 3-6 6-2, 10-1 score.

This put Harrison into the semi-final where he met Tony Keothane and, although the match was tight, the Melton lad progressed by a 6-2, 6-4 score.

With time and weather against the tournament organisers, the final was reduced to shorter sets  where Harrison, seeded four, met No.3 seed Jasper Yu, and Harrison was in magnificent form and ran out winner by a 4-1, 4-2 score.

Head coach Di Burdett was obviously delighted with both of her pupils and is now, alongside young coach Ryan Parmar, looking to a bright future with the club now nurturing many more young prospects at the club.