Boys 14U Aegon County Cup Qualification
Lansdown Tennis Club, Bath
(Saturday 3rd - Monday 5th May)
It was a much anticipated event heading into the county cup qualifications, against some strong opposition in Cornwall, Wiltshire and South Wales.
With a very young team selected being Daniel Dean, Ben Smith, Jack Chapman, Sergio Lee Gutierrez, Tom Townsend and Joshua Stapleton (who were all making their Debut's some in the county cup and some in the event itself) we provided much hunger and determination.
On day 1 we took on Cornwall coming out on with a 6-0 win. With 4 good singles performances, each player carried momentum stepping onto court having the team behind them. It was then an opportunity for Tom Townsend to step into the Doubles and put in a good performance and win in straight sets.
Heading into Day 2, we were up against a determined Wiltshire team, who showed against South Wales that even though they had lost, they were no easy team to compete against. The Day started off with a great start from Sergio Lee Gutierrez who won in straight sets, followed by Jack Chapman playing out a two hour and thirty minute match. Jack being a set and 3-4 down showed great determination and courage to turn things around to win in three sets. A pinnacle Day over the weekend, we then eventually pushed on to win 4-2 overall with other wins from Daniel Dean and Ben Smith who also came from a set down to win in three sets in another two hour battle with showing some inspirational Tennis.
It was then a chance for Josh Stapleton to play in the doubles tie who played very well indeed with some great net play.
The team spirit within the team was electric, and with the goals being as a whole to have fun, to be a team, and to be organised, we knew we faced an extremely tough battle on Day 3 against South Wales who had won both their matches and where a much older and physically stronger team.
At 1 - 0 up in the tie, with another solid display from Sergio Lee Gutierrez, we unfortunately suffered two losses in straight sets, going into our final singles rubber 2-1 down. Daniel Dean stepped up to compete against a very strong Calum Finlay from South Wales. Daniel started off fantastic winning the first set 6-3. With a great response from South Wales, we were matched at 1 set all.
In the third and final set, Daniel managed to build back some momentum and flashes of superb tennis to go 4-3 up. In an extremely tense and emotional battle, South Wales showed some great quality themselves to eventually come out as winners 6-4. A fantastic and brave effort from Daniel who was two years his opponents junior.
Overall, an inspiring effort from the Bucks 14's County Cup Team who came out with two very big wins In Cornwall and Wiltshire, and threw everything at a Deserved overall winner in South Wales. Best of luck to them in the finals.
With a young team out, it certainly gave our players the emotional, physical and mental experiences to be able to relate to in their own tennis, and to use and be ready for next year!
Mark Hunter
Bucks 14&U County Cup
Photo shows team with captain Mark Hunter and assistant Cerys Hughes