Aegon 12U County Cup Boys Report by Team Captain Nigel Willard
We played at West Middx in the 12u county cup. Beat Berkshire and Oxon easily on the Saturday. Lost to Middx 1-3 Sunday morning. This was a very tight match and wiped the boys out physically and emotionally. They then played Essex and although mentally and physically spent took the match to a shootout. If we win the shootout we would qualify for the nationals.
They boys threw everything into the shootout ………..but lost 10-8. Saving 3 match points. A missive and overwhelming disappointment. Still felt today by me I may add.
Oxfordshire went through having beaten Middx.
I would like to pay tribute to all the players Ben Smith, who played through illness to beat Essex no 1, Dylan Smith who never stopped running, Matthew Blood for playing the best tennis I have seen him play and to Ethan Hague who was tireless is his support and enthusiasm even with limited playing opportunities. The players didn’t let anyone down and are a real credit to their parents and the county.
I would also like to thank the parents for their unceasing support. Finally a huge thanks to Mark Hunter and Cerys Hughes who on their day off came to support our team.
The boys should hold their head high that they came within a whisker of the nationals.
That’s is however sport and of course once the pain of yesterday subdues we will all be stronger for the experience.