This year Cumbria were placed along with a further 5 teams in Group D with one place up for grabs in the national finals due to be played two weeks later.
Team captain, Jon Griffin, wrote this report to let us know how the boys got on:
Match 1 v Yorkshire, Lost 6-0
Yorkshire the host county went on to win the event so it truly was a baptism of fire for the Cumbrian boys with all of our opponents ratings being higher than ours. We played the doubles first with Joe Till partnering Joe Wilkinson and Louis Glaves teaming up with Chris Edge. At number two doubles the boys found the opponents just too strong but Louis & Chris put in a solid performance losing 6/4 6/3.In the singles Richard Strong and Joseph went on first playing at 3 & 4 and came off again shortly having both failed to pick up a game. Louis and Chris both performed very well losing close matches but showed that they could hold their own and compete at this level. Considering the strength of our opponents a respectable performance and a good learning curve.
Match 2 v Derbyshire Won 3–3 (Tie-break shoot out Won 10–6)
Derbyshire had 4 x 6.1 rated players but had lost to Yorkshire 6–0 the day before and I did feel that a positive outcome was possible. We didn`t have the best start with Joe Till and Joseph W both losing heavily playing at 3 & 4 but then up stepped when Louis and Chris both won in straight sets playing some excellent tennis along the way. George Hollings and Joseph W struggled in the doubles but Louis/Chris won an epic 3 set match to tie the match 3–3. A doubles tie-break shoot out was played to decide the match which Cumbria won 10–6. It was the Louis and Chris’ day with excellent vocal support from the rest of the team.
This meant Cumbria had come second in their group and would play on day 3 for 3rd/4th place.
DAY 3 – Staffordshire – 3rd/4TH Place play off– Lost 3–3 (Tie-break shoot out lost 10–8)
Staffordshire like Derbyshire the day before I felt were beatable especially when we heard they were putting their reserves out to play 3 & 4 singles (still higher rated players though). Richard and Joseph W both played much better, putting more balls in court and got deserved victories giving Cumbria our first points in the bottom half of the draw. Louis started badly probably due to playing 3 matches the day before but woke up at 5–0 down before losing 6-4 7-5 a match he perhaps could have won on another day. Chris lost to a very good player at number 1 6-2 6-2. In the doubles George and Joseph W found their opponents much too tough but Louis & Chris thrashed Staff`s number 1s 6-0 6-2.
So another tie-break shoot out to decide who came 3rd/4th, Staffs mixed their partnerships around and Louis/Chris just lost out, 10–8.
Final Position – A very respectable 4th for Cumbria`s Boys
The six boys had great team spirit/camaraderie and enjoyed some lively banter. They supported each other well and were a credit to the County both on and off court. Indeed Bob Stone, the referee, gathered them round at the end of the event to say just that to them. I think the experience will drive them on to train and particularly compete more. From my part I have to say the boys were an absolute pleasure to take away behaving impeccably all weekend and were without exception a credit to the county.
A special word of thanks should also be given to Ian Glaves who assisted with our transport arrangements and also a special mention to Chris Edge who scored the all time record low score of 32 at ten pin bowling – truly shocking!
Cumbrian Player(s) of the Event:
Louis & Chris - For competing so well at this level – well done boys!