Seaton Tennis Club youngster Caleb Sinclair came up against tough opposition in the shape of Harry Ockenden in the final of the club’s Junior 14 and Under Road To Wimbledon event this year, writes Belinda Bawden.

Sinclair secured two terrific victories to reach the final, but succombed to Ockenden’s greater consistency in the final, losing 6-1.

The match of the competition though, was the first round battle between Seb Hallett and Ollie Parry-Leyshon, eventually won by Parry-Leyshon 7-6 on a tie break. Hallett did then go on to win the consolation tournament beating Harry Lister 6-4 in the final.

The girls event was more straightforward with Amelia Smith being far too strong for her opponents and winning her matches in style. Darcie Morton finished as runner-up.

The club runs a competition every year, with this prestigious national annual featuring around 600 club competitions, and has a long and proud history.

Previously, Seaton juniors’ Bella Brown and Emma Hurst, have made it all the way to the National Finals and played at the world famous All England Club!

However, the real success of the competition is engaging juniors who are usually do not enter competitions, have coaching and normally just play tennis for fun.

These juniors mixed in with those who are starting to compete regularly proves that they are definitely good enough to give these competitions a go.

Quite a few of the juniors don’t get to play much outside of school and the local club. It’s particularly satisfying to see these players get a taste of competition. Harry and Amelia go on to the County Finals later this month.

The next junior event at the club is the mini red, orange, green and yellow ball junior club competition being held on Saturday, July 9.