PHILIPSBURG--Twenty-three athletes competed in the annual Oyster Bay Youth Tennis Tournament Friday to Sunday.

The competition, organised by Lab Sports Academy, was divided into five categories with both boy's and girl's divisions in each. Play started and finished at Raoul Illidge Sports Complex, and Saturday's games were played at Port de Pleasance Tennis and Country Club.

Dwayn Jollie took top honours in the Open Class while Raymond Rombley won the Under 15 division. Jason Smith bested Rombley on the court but played less matches so placed second on points.

No girl's entered the Open or Under 15 divisions.

St. Martin athlete Kemy Gibs dominated the Under 13 boy's division despite only being 10-years old. Maxime Sacobelli finished second.

Melanie Wilkesman took top honours in the girl's division. "Melanie from the American Tennis club of Anse Marcel was untouchable," said Les Brown from LAB Sports.

Quair Hodge won the Under 10 boy's group and was followed by Pedro Rombley. Shantal Hughes was first in the girl's division.

Franklin Ensprehos topped the boy's beginner division. Junior Komodihadge was second while Julianne Richardson won the girl's division. Runner up was Mosha Komodihadge.

"We (LAB Sports) are working on getting more girls to participate," said Brown. LAB Sports offers tennis lessons Tuesday and Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:00pm at the sports complex across from the St. Maarten Medical Center Emergency Room entrance.

LAB Sports Academy also offers a track and field program. In February the group will compete in the Proctor Track and Field Classic in Anguilla, and prepare for the Carifta Games to be held Easter weekend in Bermuda.

For more information contact 587-9089.