A new format was introduced this year to the event with only 1 County going through to the next stage (stage 2) from a group of 3 Counties (Bucks, Surrey seeded1 and Glos) in 1 group and in the other group (Oxon seeded1, Somerset and Beds) with only 1 team moving into the next stage.
The team selected to play for Bucks were the following Players:
- Thomas Schmidt
- Oliver Levi
- Lee Tribe
- Jack Clark
- Harrison Roe
- Ben Willis
On the first day of the event we were drawn to play against Surrey, who according to the ratings and seeding (No1) were the strongest team and this proved to be the case with Surrey winning relatively comfortably 6-0. There were however some encouraging performances by our Players in particular Thomas Schmidt in the singles and Lee Tribe and Jack Clark in the doubles.
The score were as follows:
No.4 Singles Harrison Roe (8.1) lost to Alex Roszkowski (7.1) 0-6, 0-6
No.3 Singles Jack Clark (8.1) lost to Luke Stevenson (6.2) 2-6, 0-6
No.2 Singles Oliver Levi (7.2) lost to Lamar Bartley (7.1) 2-6, 0-6
No.1 Singles Thomas Schmidt (7.2) lost Nicholas Nugent (6.1) 4-6, 2-6
As mentioned above, a fighting performance from Thomas Schmidt, who lost in a 2 and half hour battle to their No1.
0-4 down after the singles was a fair reflection to a stronger side.
The doubles were far more competitive with our boys “punching above their weight” and size!
The scores:
Thomas Schmidt (7.2) & Oliver Levi (7.2) lost to Freddie McGeehan (6.2) & Alex Roszkowski (7.1) 2-6, 1-6
Jack Clarke (8.1) & Lee Tribe (8.1) lost Luke Stevenson (6.2) & Kieran Jackson (7.1) 7-5, 1-6, 0-1 (8).
The next day, after an evening reality check conversation of what was required and what was expected, the players responded magnificently, against on paper, a slighter stronger Gloucestershire side.
With the team winning by the narrowest of Margins after finishing 3-3 in rubbers and 8 sets all, Bucks won 75 to 71 games!!
A massive effort by all the team!
The scores were as follows:
No.4 Singles Ben Willis (8.2) lost Joel Price (8.1) 4-6, 6-7 (4) (Ben fought hard and was serving throughout the match from behind eventually losing in a tough tiebreak in the 2nd set, just a few too many unforced errors at critical points)
No.3 Singles Lee Tribe (8.1) beat Zander Tremaine (8.1) 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-2 (after a competitive 1st set Lee wore down his opponent physically to grid out the win).
No.2 Singles Oliver Levi (7.2) lost Miles Johnson-Manley (7.2) 3-6, 6-4, 3-6 (a match that Oliver could have taken if he believed more in his ability and his opponent had many emotional “ups and downs”).
No.1 Singles Thomas Schmidt (7.2) lost Samuel Tullett (7.1) 6-3, 2-6, 2-6
An epic battle were Tom seemed to “run out of steam” and belief against a very steady opponent.
3-1 down and we needed both doubles to tie the match and it couldn’t have been closer!
The pairings were:
2nd doubles Jack Clark (8.1) & Harrison Roe (8.1) beat Miles Johnson-Manley (7.2) & Jasper Richardson (8.1) 6-4, 6-2
A great display of determination and bravery by the Bucks boys.
1st doubles Thomas Schmidt (7.2) & Lee Tribe (8.1) beat Samuel Tullett (7.1) & Zander Tremaine (8.1)
4-6, 7-6 (4) (0-1) (4)
A great win for the boys to fight back from a set down and a break in the 2nd set.
The boys showed Great Spirit and Bucks deservedly won the match.
The final day was, although there was no relegation battle, their pride and bragging rights with our County neighbours Bedfordshire.
This again proved to be another tremendous fight which again went down “to the wire”
After the round of singles the match was balanced evenly, finishing 2 a piece.
The scores:
No.4 Singles Lee Tribe (8.1) beat Jordan Owens (8.1) 6-2, 6-1.
A comfortable win for Lee, he managed keep his concentration to win Bucks’ first point of the match.
No.3 Singles Jack Clark (8.1) lost to Ben Faulkner (8.1) 1-6, 2-6.
A physically stronger boy, he was able to dictate well from his service and forehand. Jack struggled to maintain a good length trading ball and made too unforced errors.
No.2 Singles Oliver Levi (7.2) lost to William Athow (7.2) 2-6, 1-6
The Beds boy proved too strong both physically and tactical and dominated the match with his serve and forehand.
No.1 Singles Thomas Schmidt (7.2) beat Harry Boyle (7.2) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
A tremendous effort and comeback by Thomas who despite narrowly winning the 1st set after being 5-2 up, lost his belief in the 2nd set only to return at 3-0 down in the 3rd with some spirited aggressive play.
It now, once again came down to the doubles.
The results were as follows:
2nd Doubles Jack Clark (8.1) & Harrison Roe (8.1) beat William Athow (7.2) & Jordan Owens (8.1) 7-5 4-6 (1-0) (9)
A great win for the boys. Having been 5-3 down in the first set, they came through playing some solid and brave tennis around the net. Eventually coming back after a shaky 2nd set to take a nail biting championship tiebreak saving (11-9) 2 match points along the way!
Thomas Schmidt (7.2) & Lee Tribe (8.1) lost to Harry Boyle (7.2) & Ben Faulkner (8.1) 6-7 (4) 4-6
They lost a good doubles pair who just a little bit sharper around the net.
With this final result the match finished tied 3-3 although unfortunately we lost on sets (8-6) another thrilling match that could have gone either way.
In conclusion the team performed beyond expectations to higher rated players and fought admirably with great team spirit in very competitive group, needless to say Surrey moved onto the next stage beating Oxfordshire 4-2.