Jade Brosnahan. Photo supplied.Ashleigh Leonard has returned to the Ashburton Trust Gala Cup mixed doubles winners’ stage, this time with younger brother Tyler.

The siblings secured the silverware at the Ashburton Trust Tennis Centre on Friday evening, beating fellow brother-sister pairing Connor and Jade Brosnahan 4-2 4-1 in the finals.

The four rivals were the only seeded entries of the seven teams in action on Friday, which saw the annual tourney played while the sun set.

Ashleigh (23) previously won the Gala Cup mixed doubles title three consecutive times as a teen, alongside father Pete, between 2011 and 2014.

She indicated how special a win would be with brother Tyler when she spoke to the Guardian in the lead-up.

Ironically, the team faced up to Pete in their first game.

The siblings however put on a clinic against their “old man”, who was paired up with Lucy Ellis, winning 4-0 4-0.

The Brosnahans had earned their spot in the big dance with a 4-0 5-4(3) victory over Ollie Bubb and Isabela Van Dooren, followed by a 4-2 4-1 toppling of Jess Aldridge and Ryan Watt in the semi-finals.

A couple of three set epics ensued on centre court.

Leonard and Ellis came from behind to beat Maggie Crosby and Go Tamura 3-5 5-4 (4) 11-9 in the opening leg of games.

Andrew Hunt and Emily Fahey were put through their paces throughout the evening.

The duo were edged 1-4 4-0 8-10 by Aldrige and Watt, before knocking over Bubb and Van Dooren 2-4 4-2 10-7 later in proceedings.

The Ashburton Trust Gala Cup singles and doubles events will be held March 6-7.

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 4 February 2021