Following a series of training camps with Surrey 12U Team Manager Matt Trevail and Team Coaches Chris Eaton and Ben Cullen, the team was selected for the regional stage of the 2014 Boys 12U County Cup. With Surrey’s top four players unavailable due to GB team commitments and unfortunate last minute injuries, Surrey still boasted a strong line up, with Jorge Beltrao, Vraj Patel and Clayton Van Rensburg, with Harry Rock in reserve at four.
On arrival at Bromley Tennis Centre the Matt, Ben and the boys managed to fit in a good hour’s warm-up for what they soon realised was to be an extremely tough competition. With the three strongest counties (in terms of player rankings) all in one side of the draw, they knew that whoever got through the group stage would have a very good chance of winning and qualifying for the national finals.
With Dorset and Hampshire playing first, as well as some rather frustrating rain delays, Surrey eventually set up against Hampshire, with the number two’s playing first; Vraj Patel (6.2) facing Outek Dinapala (5.2). Slightly overwhelmed by an opponent who towered over him in the first few games to trail 0-3, Vraj then suddenly found his game with some outstanding running for balls most wouldn’t have dreamed of reaching, resulting in Outek becoming increasingly frustrated by a lower ranked opponent who never gave up and just kept getting balls back. The first set went to a closely fought tie-break, with Outek just coming out on top. The second set was closer than the score line, but Vraj eventually lost 4-5, 0-4, in an outstanding effort lasting nearly two hours! The second match saw Clayton (6.2) take on the more experienced Cameron Clarke (5.2). Cameron raced through the first set 4-0, with Clayton struggling to deal with the consistent height, depth and topspin from the opponent. Eventually finding his rhythm, Clayton started to hit winners and finish off points at the net to make the second set much closer, but unfortunately went down 3-5 in the end. The last singles saw our number one, Jorge (6.1) play against Ryan Golesworthy (5.1) who was playing in his second year at 12U County Cup. The first set was one way traffic with just too many winners from Ryan finishing 4-1. Jorge then upped the pace and depth in an exceptional set to win it 4-2 and force a tie-break to 10 to decide the match. Ryan then seemed to find another gear and the relentless pace and accuracy was too much, with Jorge going down 10-4. A great match, but unfortunately that won it for Hampshire & IOW 6-0. A tough first county cup match for all!
Next opponents on Saturday were Dorset, who had earlier beaten Hampshire & IOW, so the boys knew it was going to be challenging. After heavy rain flooded the outside macadam courts, Jorge had to play no.3 in the country, Toby Samuel (5.1) on the faster indoor acrylics which unfortunately didn’t suit his game, unfortunately losing 4-0, 4-0 in the end. Tie of the match came with Vraj vs Sam Bossem (6.2). Once again facing a big hitting opponent with a considerable size advantage, Vraj battled and fought for every point, but the pace was just too much in the end, finishing 2-4, 3-5 in an enthralling encounter. With a change at 3, Harry Rock came in for his first match against Alex Knox-Jones (7.1), an extremely consistent and fast paced player. A great attacking start saw Harry ahead, but Alex then simply didn’t miss and although closer than the score line suggested, steadiness paid off and it finished 1-4, 0-4 to Alex. Lastly Clayton and Harry played Dorset in the doubles and got a consolation win after coming back from a set down to win 2-4, 4-1, 10-4 with some very entertaining net attack minded doubles.
Unfortunately for all their efforts it meant that Surrey headed into Sunday with only 5th place to play for against The Channel Islands, a new and rather less experienced county to join the region. The boys made light work of opponents in all their matches, with Jorge, Clayton and Harry enjoying wins in singles and Jorge and Vraj winning doubles for the loss of just a couple of games in total. A good 8-0 win to finish, but certainly a tough county cup year for all of them.
Thanks go to Chris Eaton and Ben Cullen for expertly assisting coaching in all the matches and all the players and parents for great support all the way through the competition.
Matt Trevail
12U Boys Team Manager