LYDNEY Tennis Club hosted a qualifying round of the HSBC Road to Wimbledon tournament.

This nationwide event attracts thousands of players (under-14s) each year.

The tennis club joined forces with Whitecross School to hold the district event.

More than 50 players took part and there were some fiercely fought matches.

The boys' tournament was dominated by Wyedean School.

Because there were so many entrants, the competition was not finished on the day. The latter stages are being played off at Wyedean School.

Beth Wilson from Whitecross School battled her way through the rounds to win the girls' final, beating off strong competition from several girls from Newent School.

Beth now goes forward to represent the Forest at the regional finals at the Oxstalls Tennis Centre in Gloucester in July. Runner-up Becca Dean from Newent also qualified for Oxstalls.

Next month, a taster tennis tournament will be held for seven and eight-year-olds at Newent School. Tennis has certainly been a local winner in recent years with Chris Davies and Bas Godden delivering programmes for the School Sport Partnership in both primary and secondary schools.

Thanks to tennis initiatives in schools, Lydney Tennis Club has seen its junior numbers grow from 14 in 2005 to more than 60 in 2011.

"It's been wonderful to see such a rise in our junior members over the years" said club chairman Martin Godwin.

"The recent appointment of Fraser Drew as club coach – himself a product of the community tennis initiative led by Chris Davies and Bas Godden at Five Acres – will enable us to continue the development of the club and provide a high quality environment in which youngsters can continue to enjoy the sport."