Dorchester ace Justin Smith produced a breathtaking comeback to defeat Julien Lawes in a fitting climax to the Weymouth Town Tennis Tournament.

Smith, who beat number one seed Tom Legg en route to the men’s final, lost the first set 6-3 to title holder Lawes but fought back to take the second 6-4 before edging a tense tie-break in the decider in front of a bumper crowd at Greenhill Gardens.

Lawes, who failed to convert a match point in the final set, began the contest with a clear gameplan of getting on the front foot and pinning Smith back on the baseline but the county town star showed his mettle and refused to yield.

Smith’s languid and elegant style slowly began to disrupt Lawes’ flow and by the third set thrilled onlookers had no idea which of the two players would eventually prevail.

Lawes tried to use all his experience to bully his opponent but in the all-important tie-break it was Smith that managed to hold his nerve and convert a couple of big points to take the title.

The two adversaries also faced off in the men’s doubles final shortly afterwards and this time it was Lawes who came out on top alongside Legg.

However, the pair had to work hard for the victory as Smith and Kieron Morrissey, another fast-improving youngster, ensured the contest went to another three close sets.

Earlier in the day, Bridport starlet Amy Nicholson won the ladies’ singles final, beating Joy Hennessy 6-1, 6-3.

The 13-year-old, who bulldozed her way through the round-robin draw to make the showpiece occasion, looked set to dominate her opponent at 5-0 up in the second but Hennessy was not finished yet, reeling off three straight games to clamber back into contention.

Hennessy had attempted to counter-punch off Nicholson’s pace from the baseline in some incredible rallies at the start of the match but it was the teenager that kept snatching the points.

So in a change of style, and with her back against the wall, she went on the offensive in a remarkable fightback, which would have gained even more momentum had she not failed to convert a breakpoint at 5-3 with a volley that just crept into the tramlines.

That proved a bitter blow for Hennessy as Nicholson reg-ained her composure to eventually serve out the match and take the crown.

Hennessey did recover sufficiently enough to take the mixed doubles title alongside Mark Henman. The pair’s superior net play proved too formidable for Dorchester duo Sarah and Ben Skidmore in a 6-2, 6-4 success.

However, continuing the trend of titles being shared out over the course of the day, Sarah Skidmore, paired with Zoë Acutt, made amends in the ladies’ doubles final where they beat Caroline Cash and Emma Gardiner in a tight first-set tie-break before running away with the second 6-3.

All credit must go to tournament organiser Rhose Lawes, main sponsor Blondz and everyone else involved in making the event such a success.

Final Results Men’s Singles: Justin Smith bt Julien Lawes 3-6, 6-4, 7-6.

Ladies’ Singles: Amy Nicholson bt Joy Hennessy 6-1, 6-3.

Men’s Doubles: Julien Lawes & Tom Legg bt Kieron Morrissey & Justin Smith 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

Ladies’ Doubles: Zoë Acutt & Sarah Skidmore bt Caroline Cash & Emma Gardiner 7-6, 6-3.

Mixed Doubles: Joy Hennessy & Mark Henman bt Sarah Skidmore & Ben Skidmore 6-2, 6-4.

Mixed Doubles Plate: Caroline Cash & Alan Cash bt Kate Meacham & Matthew Brook 6-1, 6-1.