Congratulations to the Cambridgeshire’s U9 County Cup team who won the AEGON County Cup timed tennis event between 8 East counties at Culford Sports & Tennis Centre in Suffolk on 18 July 2009.
It was the first time a timed format had been used for U9's County Cup and consisted of 15 minute matches; four singles matches (two boys & two girls) and two double matches (boys & girls), with players having to gain as many points as possible in the time allowed.
The team of Alex Wardly, Charlie James, Anna Loughlan and Kira Reuter
were first up against Buckinghamshire. Alex, the boys no. 1 player got the team off to a fantastic start by winning his match convincingly and secured many points for Cambridgeshire. Even though boys no. 2 Charlie lost his match he still managed to gain a number of vital points for the team. Both girls played some excellent tennis and were victorious in their matches. After a couple of tight doubles matches Cambridgeshire came out top with a mammoth point’s victory.
Next up were Hertfordshire who were a more even match. After the singles it was 2 all and with the points score extremely close it meant it was all down to the doubles. Team captain Oliver Haldenby had every faith in the team and knew they could pull through. With Charlie playing some outstanding tennis the team went on to win the match. After an anxious wait while the referee counted up the points the team realised they had made it through to the finals.
In the final old enemy Norfolk were waiting and the team knew they had to try and play their very best to win. Anna unfortunately lost a very high standard match but with Kira and Alex both winning their matches it meant it was once more down to the doubles. There was some superb play from both the boys and girls pairs ensuring Cambridgeshire were victorious against Norfolk and thus overall champions. Team captain Oliver Haldenby said “it was a fantastic event and I’m so proud of how the team worked together to achieve the victory”.