BEWDLEY Tennis Club duo Dawn Gumbley and Lesley Reeve-Parker fulfiled a dream by heading to Wimbledon for the national finals of a tournament.

They were one of just 18 pairs to qualify for the last stage of the Tate and Lyle-sponsored competition after winning the regional round at Wollaston.

The pair came unstuck though, dropping out in the second round in a close three-set match, but the experience will stay with them for some time.

Stourport's Reeve-Parker and Gumbley played on the indoor courts after practising close to the grass area at the world-famous venue.

Gumbley, of Bewdley, said: "We did very well to get through to the final at Wimbledon. No-one else at the club has done it.

"We haven't played together in a team before, we've played socially in a group of four but it's the first tournament we had entered.

"And we were just so excited to be at Wimbledon. We were allowed to practise on the shale court in Wimbledon itself by the side of the grass courts. There was nobody else there and it was quite an experience really.

"In the end, we went straight out but it was close. I think everyone was nervous because it was such a big occasion. The two that beat us made the semi-finals."