THE finals of the Kent winter veterans tennis tournament were held on Sunday at the county tennis centre at Newstead, Orpington, when some past winners held on to their titles. New champions also emerged.

In the Over 45 singles, Great Britain international Bob Whitehead, from Margate, won another county title avenging last year's defeat against Arun Vethakkan, winning 6-2, 6-4.

The over 55 singles final was a long match and produced a new champion in Gravesham's Ray Murray who fought back well after losing the first set 6-2 against Peter Long from Bromley and won the next two 6-4, 7-5.

The over 60s singles was the first match of a gruelling day for Canterbury's Stephen Woodley, who was involved in three finals.

He retained the 60s title beating Bob Milner from Tunbridge Wells 6-2, 6-3 but lost to clubmate Derek Shepard 6-3, 6-3, in the over 65 singles.

In the doubles events, Dave Balow from Staplehurst and Stuart Smith of the Queen's Club retained their 55s title when Bromley's Peter Long and Peter Pharo pulled out through injury.

In the 60s doubles Colin Dancey from Bromley and partner Mike Mayer from Margate defeated Woodley and Gary Sims from Herne Bay in a hard fought match finally winning 3-6, 7-6, 6-2.

The 65 doubles was also a three-setter with Phil Pretty from Maidstone and Gravesham's Graham Russell taking the title in a tough match against John Hills from Margate and Park Langley's Thorburn Frost.

National champion Paul Drane was in his usual fine form in the 70s doubles and he and partner Lionel Hoskins from Herne Bay eased past John Reynolds and John Ackers 6-2, 6-4.