Tennis duo net Sussex titles

Suzy Larkin, as anticipated, was crowned girls' 12 and under champion while Bianca Jones bagged the girls' and mixed doubles titles in the 15 and under category.

Twelve-year-old 1066 Sporting Club-sponsored Suzy, who plays at The Green and attends Claverham Community College, defeated number two seed Natasha Forbes 6-3, 6-3 in what was, according to father Ted, "quite a close" final. She also reached the semi-finals of the 14 and under version where, seeded fourth, she was beaten 6-2, 6-3 by a player whom "we didn't expect her to beat".

"She played very well," he continued. "She had a good week. She's played a lot of tennis lately and we're quite pleased with her progress."

Bianca, meanwhile, continued her steady progress under the tutelage of Mark Barham by scooping the girls' doubles for the third straight year and the mixed for the second successive staging. The St Richard's Catholic College student, 14, is also sponsored by the Sporting Club.