Berkshire 10U Girls County Cup report
Team Berkshire arrived in Oxford knowing we had a chance of qualifying for National finals but only if we played and supported as a team! When briefing the players before their first match vs Buckinghamshire we discuss bravery and courage as the two character strengths needed to win matches at this level.
Berkshire 8-0 Buckinghamshire
Singles Wins for Liliana Fleming, Catherine Cowper and Francesca Davis made a strong start to Day 1. The doubles rubber was to be played and won later in the day by Phoebe Coleman and Liliana.
Essex 4-5 Berkshire
Singles defeats for Catherine and Liliana (both in 3 sets) meant Francesca had to win to keep the match alive. As No.1 player she duly delivered which meant Berkshire had to first win the doubles rubber and then the doubles tie-break shootout to claim victory. Catherine and Francesca great friends on and off the court showed their togetherness and battled through to put Berkshire in to second place after day 1.
Oxfordshire 2-6 Berkshire
Phoebe won the first singles rubber, dominating throughout the match, to get things off to a good start vs Oxfordshire. Catherine continued her good form and battled hard learning from the previous day after being up a set and being pegged back to lose in 3 sets. This time there was no repeat and she showed incredible bravery to seal the win putting Berkshire 4-0 up with Doubles to play. The Oxfordshire pair showed some fine net craft but Catherine and Francesca adapted their game to win in three sets. This meant a win against our last Group C opponents Middlesex would be enough to qualify for the National Finals.
Berkshire 6 – 2 Middlesex
Francesca Davis put in the Singles performance of the weekend battling to a fine victory in the first Singles rubber vs Middlesex. Court availability meant the other Berkshire players were able to stay and cheer Francesca on to her win which I know she was incredibly grateful for all the support. Phoebe Coleman secured her 100% win record over the weekend playing intelligent tennis throughout to win the second singles rubber. Catherine was disappointed to lose her singles admitting after she could have chased down more balls but I knew she would make a mends teaming up with Francesca in the doubles. One set up in the Doubles the girls showed their first signs of nerves but after a stern team talk from me went on to control the deciding match tie-break 10 – 4. They had done! Berkshire are going to the National Finals of 10U Girls County Cup 2015!!!!
Thank you to all Players, parents, grandparents and Rio the dog for your hard work, effort and support. See you all at Bolton Arena!!!
Luke Digweed
10U Girls Berkshire Team Captain
LTA Senior Performance Coach UKCC Level 4