TEN-TIME winner Denise Austin described the Weymouth Classic as the 'Wimbledon' of British beach volleyball and that the event was one that all British players strive to win.

In front of a large crowd, Austin gave a vintage display to win the ladies' crown with new partner Aga Aganek.

The duo held off the challenge of last year's winners Eva Holt and Katija Gless to triumph 18-21, 21-19, 15-12.

The 34th RAF Careers Classic was another success for the town despite the dreadful weather on Saturday.

The teams played on regardless despite the downpour through Saturday and went into the final day only one round behind where the schedule suggested they should be and the final was only 15 minutes late.

For the first time this year the men's final was played first and it was an all-British affair with Issa Batrane and Ryan Poole taking on Sam Walrond and Sam Dunbavin.

Dunbavin and Walrond took a tight opening set 21-18 before Batrane and Poole fought back to square up the match 1-1 with a 21-17 win.

The third set saw Batrane and Poole just maintain a steady lead and they ran out 15-12 winners.

Batrane and Poole now return to European tour action with their first Weymouth title under their belt.

Th best performances from local players saw Craig Bishop playing with Rob Krakow who finished in a very impressive 11th place.

While in the women's event, Lucy and Chloe Oldrid, playing in their first ever major tournament, qualified for the main draw on Saturday by being runners-up in the qualifying event on Friday afternoon and then finished in 19th place in the main event.

The young sisters gained lots of praise from their opponents and they should have a bright future in the game.

Before the men's final there was a poignant moment when the centre court crowd paid their respects with a minute's applause in memory of former event director Lyle Harmon Beglan who died suddenly in January.

Lyle was also inducted posthumously into the Classic Hall of Fame

The current event directors said after the event that they were delighted with how the event had gone particularly considering the heavy rain and wind on Saturday which had made playing conditions very difficult.

Pete Bennett and Graeme Sawyer said: "We have great respect for all the players for having to go out into that weather repeatedly and playing to such a high standard but thankfully the sun returned for us on Sunday.

"We would like to thank our main sponsor RAF Careers and all our partners who supported the event and without whom the Classic could not go ahead.

"We hope they will continue to support us into 2018 and beyond."