TAVISTOCK tennis player and tennis coach Josh Brown, has been selected to play for the Devon Men's county team, the first time a player from Tavistock has ever been chosen.

Josh, aged 19, was selected after a superb run of results at the Devon County Closed Championships, held in Torquay in June.

Josh reached the semi-final, beating higher ranked players including Devon number two seed Dave Palmer in the quarter finals, then gave old hand Steven Wood a run for his money in the semi final, only losing after a gallant fight against the experienced, older player.

The Devon team now plays at county week on July 19 at Hunstanton in Norfolk. Josh, who was selected for the U18 team two years ago, was unable to take up his place due to a serious rugby injury, resulting in major surgery, with the threat that he possibly would not be able to play tennis properly again. This makes his current achievement all the more significant.

Just to keep it in the family, Tavistock's first team player and head tennis coach Linden Hardisty, stepfather to Josh, won the over 35s mens doubles in the British Open Clay Court Championships in Bournemouth. Linden, the over 40s British number eight partnered Matt Coombes to win the title for the second year running with a resounding score of 6-4 7-5.

This summer Josh and Linden will be running summer junior tennis camps at Tavistock tennis club for all standards from 5-18 year olds. If you would like to take part go to tavistocktennis.org.uk