Our 10&U Teams played in the Aegon 10U County Cup this weekend Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th May 2011:
Boys were at Esporta Northwood, Ducks Hill Road, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2DR (Captain James Goodchild 07752 724488)
Girls were at White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre, Audlett Drive, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3PJ (Captain Tom Edis 07876 666679)
Boys Team: Daniel Dean (Halton), Mark McGuinness (GXBL), Finlay Barrett (Chesham 1879), Jack Chapman (Iver Heath), Ben Coldicott (Halton).
Girls Team: Lauren Armstrong (MK Ace), Indu Ragunather (Batchwood – lives in Amersham), Maddy Weir (Chesham 1879), Molly Curliss (Halton).
Girls Report:
County Cup 2011 (u10 Girls)
Team: Lauren Armstrong, Indu Ragunather, Maddy Weir, Molly Curliss
Placed in the group with Middlesex, Herts, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, the team were feeling confident ahead of the 2011 County Cup qualifying stage held on 28/29 May.
On the first day (Saturday), the girls had to play against Middlesex and Oxfordshire. Middlesex, with 4 national girls were strong favourites to win the group and one of the favourites for the overall competition, so it was a tough start to the weekend. However, the girls’ attitude was fantastic in blustery conditions as Indu managed to win her singles here, and only narrow defeats for Maddy and Lauren meant that victory in the doubles could force a shoot-out decider.
Maddy and Indu played the doubles against their strongest pair and despite chances to gain crucial breaks in both sets, the tie was unfortunately lost. Even so, victory in the group was still very much achievable, as Oxfordshire were defeated at the end of day 1. With Bucks looking likely to win the tie overall 3-1, a dramatic last-gasp win in the doubles for Oxfordshire against Lauren and Molly forced the shoot-out match tie break decider that Lauren and Indu comprehensively won to keep Bucks on course.
Day 2 started brightly against Gloucestershire, and only a narrow defeat for Molly in her singles match prevented a clean sweep, as Indu and Molly rounded off the doubles convincingly to finish the tie with a 3-1 victory.
This left Hertfordshire. Bucks needed to win to stand any chance of qualifying, as Middlesex took on Oxfordshire at the same time. A win for Oxfordshire here would have allowed Bucks the chance to progress if they won well enough themselves.
Bucks came out of the blocks quickly as Indu played her best tennis of the weekend to win her singles, and Lauren overcame a tricky opponent who forced a match tie break after Lauren cruised through the opening set. Lauren’s fightback to win the match tie break typified Bucks’ spirit over the weekend. These wins meant Maddy’s defeat in her singles mattered little going into the doubles.
Lauren and Maddy combined brilliantly to win in straight sets, with Maddy’s net play particularly eye-catching!
Unfortunately, Middlesex’s victory over Oxfordshire in their doubles meant they won overall and topped the group undefeated. Bucks finished a creditable 2nd place and can be extremely proud of their efforts. The team spirit and encouragement amongst the girls contributed to a great weekend, where the tennis got better from game to game, and the team can be greatly encouraged from these inspired performances in such incredible winds!