Former Ripon Tennis Centre coach Brent Parker failed to make a winning return to his old stamping ground.

His Tennis World side from Middlesbrough went down 3-1 at the Ripon centre to Sunderland Health and Racquets.

Parker, the Ripon club's first coach when the centre opened seven years ago, was bidding to steer his side into the national final where they were runners up last season.

But his partnership with Sean Damer failed to secure victory in two matches.

But if Parker's return did not produce a silver lining simply hosting the event was a red letter day for the Ripon centre and its manager Dennis Thompson.

Thompson said: "We were extremely pleased to be hosting the event with players producing such a high standard of play."

Ripon is also the venue for a number of Lawn Tennis Associaton qualifying events this year.

Scores - Middlesbrough Tennis World 1 Sunderland Health and Racquets 3 (Middlesbrough names first): Nigel Beavers and Mark Franklin lost to Adam Barratclough and Ainsley Kershaw 4-6, 2-6; beat Graeme Foreman and Nathan Lundy 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Brent Parker and Sean Damer lost to Barratclough and Kershaw 1-6, 2-6; lost to Foreman and Lundy 3-6, 3-6.

N-E Premier League

Young Wearsiders Adam Barraclough from Fulwell and Ainsley Kershaw from Tunstall powered Invicta Sunderland to victory in the final of the Brown Shipley League last Saturday in Ripon.