On Friday 27th February - Sunday 1st March the 18U Girls County Team played at Gosling Tennis Centre in Welwyn Garden City, competing in Group 2a.
The team consisted of : Eden Richardson, Beth Taylor, Ellie Tsimbilakis, Hannah McColgan, Sally Atkinson, Olivia French, Amy Ball and Gaby McKeever.
The other counties in the division were Buckinghamshire, Hampshire & Isle of White and Sussex.
After the previous seasons promotion the team were in a positive mood ahead of our Division 2 challenge. Our first opponents would be Buckinghamshire.
Cheshire got off to a flying start thanks to a near faultless performance from debutant Olivia French's straight sets win. Unfortunately, Sally Atkinson was unable to make it a double in the first 2 singles, leaving the tie even. Hannah McColgan gave Cheshire the lead with a strong straight sets win, which was soon matched by Beth Taylor and Eden Richardson and after a tough 3 setter Ellie Tsimbilakis in the top 4 singles matches. This gave Cheshire an unassailable 5-1 lead going into the doubles and all three pairs capitalised early to secure Cheshire an 8-1 win.
That solid 8-1 win on day one meant Cheshire's day two opponents were Hampshire and Isle of White.
The team did fantastically well to fight back into the match after a tough start. After a tight singles contest we were 3-3 going into the doubles. Unfortunately No.3 pair Gaby McKeever and Sally Atkinson had a tough ask against a strong Hampshire pair, which meant it was all down to the final two doubles. Both pairs, No.2 Beth Taylor and Hannah McColgan and No.1 Eden Richardson and Ellie Tsimbilakis had comfortable 1st set wins, but Hampshire and Isle of White were not going to give up without a fight. Both pairs knuckled down to secure Cheshire a 5-4 win and set up a straight promotion battle against Sussex on the final day.
The final day would put us against a strong, unbeaten Sussex team.
Sally Atkinson was outplayed by a strong Sussex No.5 and although our No.6 Olivia French had a confident start she unfortunately couldn't sustain it and lost in 3 sets. The second round of singles tipped the momentum in Cheshire's favour with a closely fought win by our No.4 singles Hannah McColgan in a 3 set thriller, and with a straight sets win by Ellie Tsimbilakis at No.3.
The top 2 singles were split, with a strong and positive performance by No.1 Eden Richardson, putting the score 3-3 going into the doubles. With strong past doubles performances the girls approached the next 3 matches with great attitude and determination.
Amy Ball played in the No.3 doubles with Gaby McKeever and after a close 1st set the girls lost in straight sets making it all to play for. Our top two doubles pairs No.1 Eden and Ellie, No.2 Beth and Hannah started brilliantly both securing the 1st sets. Their momentum and positive attitude along with superb solid doubles gave Cheshire the 2 rubbers and overall victory and ultimately promotion into division 1.
Big congratulations to all the girls who behaved impeccably, both on and off court all weekend.
A special congratulations go to Eden Richardson, Ellie Tsimbilakis and Hannah McColgan for their unbeaten record during the whole event and thanks to Katie Taylor for assisting so professionally over the weekend.
Bring on Division 1!!!