HOLCOMBE Brook Sports Club captain Tony Lawson has spoken of his pride at his women's tennis team reaching the final of the Kia National Clubs' League tournament last weekend.

The Longsight Road club's ladies went down 4-2 in the final to reigning champions Edgbaston Priory in Sunday's showdown at the West Hants Club, Bournemouth.

But there was no disgrace in defeat as Lawson explained: "I was delighted we reached the final.

"We were aiming for the semis so anything more was a bonus to us.

"After being annoyed at our performance last year this time the team played their hearts out and I was impressed with the whole squad.

"It really couldn't have been much closer."

After storming through the northern qualifying section earlier in the summer, Holcombe Brook defeated Halton 4-2 in the quarter-finals before seeing off mighty Bath University in the semi-finals by the same score.

But in the final reckoning the Warwickshire side had a bit too much for them in the final.

"Our ladies have won the title twice, the last time in 2001, and have been beaten finalists three times now.

"In fact we are the only club to have been in every final since it's been played in Bournemouth for the last five years.

"It's a very proud achievement for our small club."

While the women were making the way to the final, the club's mens' team didn't fare quite as well, going out at the quarter-final stage to eventual winners Caesarean of Jersey.

The Channel Islanders defeated Sutton Tennis & Squash Club by a 2-1 tie-break shootout in the final after finishing level 3-3.

"Our men played out of their skins as well," explained Lawson.

"Although they lost to the winners they had a chance to beat them in the quarter finals.

"Simon Roberts was the star of the team and he's one to watch for the future.

"He beat Oliver Freelove of Bromley and Caesarian's Michael Ouvarov, who are both ranked much higher.

"Meanwhile for the ladies Yvonne Doyle did well for us at number one. She always had the toughest match to play and did superbly."

It's an even greater achievement as the club have only got six courts, four of which have seen better days.

The club are planning to relocate further down Longsight Road with the aim of upgrading their facilities and Lawson sees a bright future ahead.

"The plan is for us to become a community club with Play and Play, school links and 13 state-of-the-art outdoor courts and two Mini Tennis courts which will be the first in Lancashire, he added.

"We are trying to move on and accommodate a club which is one of the best in the north west, we have fantastic junior coaching programmes."

by Phil Thorp

Holcombe's fine effort should be applauded