BROMYARD tennis ace Tracey Powell claimed a new record after winning the Hereford and Worcester County Closed championships ladies' singles title for an eighth time.

The 27-year-old from Bromyard defeated Pauline Fisher in straight sets 6-1, 6-2 to become the outright record holder from Jane Poynder.

Powell, who coaches at Bewdley Tennis Club, was only denied a hat-trick of wins at the Manor Park event when she and partner Jim Sylvester narrowly lost 7-5, 7-7 to husband and wife duo Mark and Laura Siviter in the mixed doubles final.

She also triumphed in the ladies doubles final with partner Elizabeth Veal, who defeated mother and daughter team Pauline and Katherine Fisher 6-3, 6-2.

Tracey said: "It was almost a perfect day but we just slipped up in the mixed.

"We were 6-5 up in the tie break and I thought I'd hit a winning volley but it just missed the line."

Apart from that it was a satisfying day for Powell, who at one time was ranked number four best women's player in England, and her singles title was her sixth consecutive victory in the final.

She has never dropped a set in a singles' final and intends to play on until someone beats her though Powell has some way to go to equal Phil Siviter, who won the men's singles title 21 years in a row.

"If I did beat it I think it might get a place in the Guinness Book of Records," she said.

The men's 55 plus was won by Manor Park's Nick Hall who ran out a 6-3, 6-3 winner against Terry Round and in the men's veterans 55 plus Nick Hall and Malcolm Dicks (Manor Park) beat Roger Davies and Terry Brown 6-1, 6-1.