Tennis juniors relish grass court tussles

Seventeen pairs of eager young tennis players contested the Rapaura Tennis Club’s Mitchell Sports Power Junior Doubles tournament at the picturesque grass court venue on Thursday.

Twelve boys’ combinations and five girls’ duos battled for titles across several grades in superb summer conditions.

Taking a break after their first round encounter are, from left, Harriet Cornelius, Mia Harris, Jemima O'Donnell and Lily Walkenhorst.

Convincing winners of the boys’ title were Theo Sandford-Jury and Sid Yank, allowing none of their rivals no more than two games across the day. They downed Ryo Kimura and Cooper Johnson 6-2 in the final.

The girls’ title, played in a round-robin format, was also won by the top seeds, Lilly Walkenhorst and Jemima O’Donnell going through their four matches unbeaten. Second were Harriet Cornelius and Mia Harris.

Boys' title-winners, Sid Yank, left, and Theo Sandford-Jury.

The boys plate was won by Theo McAnulty and Callum Rayner, from Brodie Blick and Lucas Mulitalo.

Winners of the boys special plate were Jimmy Rumble and Leon Marusaki, from Hunter Wong and Flynn Weaver.

Theo McAnulty leaps into a forehand drive.

Emily Preece won the girls’ sportsmanship prize, while Alex Herd won the boys’ equivalent.