The 9&U County Cup was held on 20 July this year, with Group B at Sunderland Tennis Centre. Jon Griffin captained the Cumbria team and sent in the following report:
Group B – Cumbria, Durham & Cleveland, Northumberland
Boys
1. James Griffin
2. Billy Blaydes
3. Liam Short / Alex Dalton
Girls
1. Caitlin Almond
2. Anna Fisher
3. Dana Billington
RESULT – CUMBRIA CHAMPIONS!
1st Cumbria
2nd Durham & Cleveland
3rd Northumberland
I would like to start this report by commenting on all 14 of the players who have taken part in the U9 County Training Programme this year. Each and every one of the participants have attended a high proportion of the sessions and trained incredibly hard. I hope everyone has enjoyed the training and has taken a lot away from the sessions. The good luck messages from the players not selected showed what a good team spirit we had which was carried throughout the day and especially into the last mixed doubles match! What was also great to see was that 6 of our 7 players entered the Grade 3 event in Middlesbrough the day before which made a one day event seem like a two day event and enhanced our team spirit. Well done to James for winning the Grade 3 and Billy for coming 4th.
Cumbria v Northumberland 10 – 8 Victory
This was an easier victory than the score suggests as the last rubber was dead which enabled us to give Alex/Anna a run out in the final mixed match. The boys picked for this fixture James, Billy & Alex all won their singles with James/Billy also taking the doubles. Dana won her singles whilst Caitlin and Anna lost their singles matches and Caitlin/Dana lost the girls doubles.
Cumbria v Durham & Cleveland 10 – 8 Victory
This always looked the harder match and it certainly had a tense finale. James won in straight sets playing at one and both Billy and Liam won very close 3 set matches showing great fighting spirit. James/Billy then won their doubles. Unfortunately all 3 girls found the going a bit tough losing their singles in straight sets but if Dana/Caitlin could win their doubles Cumbria would be champions. Unfortunately they lost a close 3 set match leaving the whole day down to the final mixed doubles match.
We fielded James & Caitlin who were to play their respected singles opponents at mixed doubles. We had a long chat on tactics which both James & Caitlin executed to perfection winning an epic battle 10/8 4/7 9/7. The Cumbrian support on the balcony certainly helped see the team home.
Conclusion
As Team Captain I have to say I have been delighted by the players'/parents' attitude to training all year round which culminated in success for the team at this year`s event. A special mention to the Cumbrian boys, who won all 8 of their rubbers, and a thank you to all the parents for your commitment/support and kind comments during the last 12 months.
Next year, the team gets split into separate boys and girls team with myself staying on with the boys. So a final word, boys - unlucky you are stuck with me for a further year, and to the girls - thank you and good luck next year!
Jon Griffin
U9 Team Captain