Saturday 2nd May 2015
Here we are again at Lionel Cox and the weather is very cold and windy, not like the sunshine last year.
First match against Berkshire Bethan struggled in the 1st set with the wind which produced too many unforced errors, but having got back to 2-2 in the second, then struggled with her serve, eventually losing 0-4, 2-4. This was completing a different story when Bethan we on to play her 2nd match against Norfolk when she blew away her opponent playing some great tennis wining 4-0, 4-0. Well done.
Sofia had a tough 1st match against Berkshire having won the 1st set 4-2, had a tough 2nd set losing her way with too many unforced errors and eventually losing 1-4, but dug deep and won the tie break 10-5. Well done. In her 2nd match against Norfolk Sofie had another tough match, having won the 1st set 4-0 then lost the 2nd set with too many errors and then down in the final tiebreak, played really well to win 12-10. Well done.
Ellie in her 1st match struggled also with too many unforced errors and making use of good opportunities to win the point, but in her 2nd match against Norfolk Ellie played with a great attitude dominating her opponent wining 4-0, 4-1. Well done.
Match scores on Saturday: lost to Berkshire 1-2 and beat Norfolk 3-0.
Sunday 3rd May 2015
Unfortunately the weather delayed play and when the girls went on we were playing on the multi surface astro, which proved to be challenging against Oxfordshire. Bethan adapted to the conditions well with a low bounce, wet courts and wet balls, great use of slice and short angles to win Bethan then played a tough match against Hertfordshire on the astro turf. Did struggle on the return of serve as her opponent had a great serve, but a great effort on every point. In the playoff match for 5th/6th place against Cambridgeshire Bethan worked hard, ran for every ball and had some great rallies but this did not reflect on the match score losing 0-4, 2-4.
Sofia’s match against Oxfordshire proved to be tough on the multi surface and did not adapt as well as her opponent, although had a close 1st set losing 3-5, never recovered from this or the court conditions. In her second match against Herts played on the astro turf and again her opponent proved too good in the plain off match against Cambridgeshire, the wind again played a big factor as Sofia found it difficult to find her range losing both sets, but did give every thing for the team.
Ellie in her fist match against Oxfordshire also found the conditions very difficult and having fallen over a few times, this did have an effect on her confidence and her movement. Against Hertfordshire again the opponent proved too strong, but did have some great rallies. In the play off match against Cambridgeshire had too many unforced errors but did not stop fighting.
Match scores on Sunday: - lost to Oxfordshire 1-2, Hertfordshire 0-3, play off for 5th/6th place lost 0-3.
Overall in the girls U12 came 6th, but Bucks as a team came in 3rd place, just behind Essex.
I would like to than Bethan, Sofia and Ellie for a great two days and their commitment on and off the court. A big thank you to the parents for their great support, particularly on Sunday which was a very long day for all of us.
Caroline Care
U12 Girls County Captain
