Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th May
The girls arrived on Saturday ready for a busy weekend. With 5 teams and only one space available at the National finals they knew they had to play their best tennis to qualify.
Players: Shreya Walia, Olivia Parr, Zahra Ahmed & Steffi Swanson
DAY 1
Berkshire 2-3 Buckinghamshire
Shreya Walia began proceedings against Bucks No1 player. Having just returned from injury and showing signs of nerves she came up short 4-2, 4-0. Up next Zahra Ahmed fought hard in her singles but couldn’t get the better of her opponent losing 5-3, 4-1. Knowing we were 2-0 down, Steffi Swanson, officially still a 9U Orange player stepped on court in a must win match. She delivered after a tough second set getting the W 4-0, 5-4. This meant we had to win the doubles to stay in the tie. Shreya & Olivia picked for the net craft put in a great performance and battled to a 4-0,1-4, 10-7 victory. This meant it went to a deciding doubles tie-break shootout. Some great and understandably nervous tennis produced a 10-8 defeat giving Bucks the tie and what would turn out to effectively be the group win as we provided them with their toughest fixture over the weekend.
Berkshire 4 – 0 Oxfordshire
A professional job performed by the entire Berkshire team. In the 3 singles and 1 doubles match the girls only lost game in total!
DAY 2
Nothamptonshire 1 – 3 Berkshire
The girls began day two knowing they had to win both fixtures against the remaining two counties plus Bucks to slip up in order to qualify. After wins from Shreya in the singles and Shreya & Olivia in the doubles we were into another tie-break shootout. The girls fought hard to secure the victory and with it the match vs Northants.
Berkshire 1 – 3 Middlesex
Steffi began her singles match against the Middlesex No.3 player knowing it would be a marathon. Both players were so evenly matched it came to a tie-break third set. Showing what she had learnt from earlier experience, Steffi showed real bravery to get the win 10-8. Olivia also showed real bravery and her volley skills but just came up short 10-7 in the third set in her singles. With Shreya missing out 5-4, 4-0 it meant once again the match came down to the doubles. Olivia & Sheya stepped and produced some great points but with fatigue setting in they couldn’t deliver on this occasion.
Well done to all the girls for doing their county proud and who I hope have all learnt something from the weekend. Thank you also to all parents who were the best support any captain could have!
Luke Digweed (Team Captain)