TWO young Dunfermline tennis players have gone where many more can only dream – to play a tennis final at Wimbledon.

Talented kids Rory La Trobe, 14, and Lewis Mackintosh, 12, were among thousands of youngsters from across Britain to take part in both singles and doubles events in the HSBC Road to Wimbledon competition.

Now in its 16th year, the national 14 and under challenge is the UK’s largest national junior grass court tournament and attracts around 7,000 competitors in pursuit of a prestigious place at the All England Club.

The unique competition offers tennis venues to stage an event and give their under-14 players the chance to qualify to play on the famous grass courts of SW19 by progressing to county finals, and then the national finals.

In 2014, Dunfermline Tennis Club’s Michael Morrison made it all the way to the Wimbledon final and picked up a runners-up trophy, and now Rory, 14, and Lewis, 12, have also served up ace performances to follow suit in the doubles.

After making it through to the county finals, they both progressed to the big event that took place from August 14-19 and produced some fantastic tennis to make it through qualifying rounds early in the week.

In the singles main draw, they each put up a valiant effort, ultimately being beaten by the competitor who went on to win the title but it was in the doubles where they shone brightest.

Following a tentative start, the duo’s confidence grew with each round and, after beating Tom Craig and Jacob Rogers in the last four, faced William Cheer and Phoenix Weir in the final.

Watched by their proud families, Rory and Lewis made a flying start to take the first set 6-1 by playing some fast-paced tennis. They lost the second set 3-6 but, despite a brave fightback in a third set tie-break to level at 8-8 from 2-6 down, a couple of nervous points saw them lose 8-10.

Dunfermline Tennis Club head coach Alan Russell was thrilled with the pair’s success and said: “We’re all very proud of the boys’ achievements. They are inspiring the next generation of young players at the club – and all the coaches!

“There aren’t many people who can call themselves finalists at Wimbledon.”

As well as competing in the final, Rory and Lewis even got the chance to meet former British number one and HSBC tournament ambassador Tim Henman.