Harry Southwell enjoyed impressive results in the Hampshire Open. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0374161)

TWO Guernsey boys showed that they are progressing well and maturing into serious adult players when they pitted their talents at the Under-17 Hampshire Open.

The two in question were Glenn Le Tissier and Harry Southwell.  Both have grown physically several inches during the summer and this brings new aspects to overcome.

On the positive side, it brings extra strength, speed and power. But it also invariably can lead to movement, co-ordination and timing problems that need to be worked through.

The boys played in both singles and doubles events which start in a round-robin format of four groups with the winner of each going through to a semi-final, so you cannot afford any slip-ups.

Southwell found himself in the largest round-robin group of five players from Hampshire and Gwent, including the eventual winner, Milo Rapacioli from Hampshire.  Despite getting off to a slow start in his first singles match, Le Tissier quickly adjusted to the playing conditions of the UK venue and began to dominate, winning the third and deciding game 21-9.