Whilst the Christmas holidays gave the Thongsbridge youngsters a good helping of festive fun, the most dedicated amongst them had little time away from the court, with several training and competing up and down the country.

Andrew Atkinson and Holly Horsfall were competing at the highest of levels, in the under 16s National Tour event in Welwyn Garden City and both secured great wins against highly ranked national players. Andrew was unlucky to ultimately lose in a tight match to the eventual runner up, with Holly too suffering a narrow defeat.

Ben Horner, under 14s, struggled in a strong field at the Sheffield Open, but had an excellent win at the North of England Christmas Open.

George Barton and Charlotte Margetson, under 9s, and Lucy Margetson, under 10s, were all in action at Warwick University, with George securing 3 excellent wins, and Charlotte, after a slow start and 1st round defeat, showing a spirited come back to come runner up in the consolation draw.

The trio also headed to the Hull Christmas Open, where the Margetson sisters both came an impressive 4th, with George’s excellent performance giving him 5 wins, out of six matches played.

Charlotte also competed in a local lower grade event at Batley, where she was in fine form and secured the top spot.