GROUP 6b – Venue: Wrexham
Final Positions Wins Rubbers
- Avon 3 18
- Cumbria 2 15
- North Wales 1 13
- Channel Islands 0 7
Cumbria`s Team:
Sam Clarke 3.1, Chris Edge 4.1, Louis Glaves 4.2, Ali Hassan 5.1, Albert Glaves 6.2, William Bayliff 6.2, Joseph Wilkinson 5.2, Kerran Cotterell 7.1
Foreword
Going into this year`s event, I knew we had a very young team with all players eligible next year and most available for many more years. Judged merely on ratings we would have been seeded to come 3rd but I did feel we had a chance to get promoted although it would be difficult. I had confidence in our doubles play as we normally over perform in this area with the older boys playing in local men`s leagues and a lot of time in the training sessions being dedicated to it.
Our Team
I cannot praise the boys highly enough. I have taken many teams away but without doubt these eight boys were the best bunch I have ever taken. Their camaraderie, team spirit, togetherness, banter was simply outstanding. I never once had to pull anybody to one side, they were all on time, attentive and looked out for each other. Their behaviour was commented on by both the hotel and restaurant staff. All the boys were a credit to themselves, their families and the county. Off court they were even kind enough to let their coach win at 10 pin bowling (168!) and Ali almost beat Chris Edge`s long standing record low score of 28 but managed to rescue the situation with his last bowl!
Team Selection
The below is what I considered my strongest team and as we won on the first two days the same team was picked on day three which unfortunately meant that Kerran didn`t get to play. Kerran deserves a special mention though as he was a true team member, his `happy go’ nature was the glue that kept the team together, he was an outstanding team member and a pleasure to have in the group.
Singles
1.Sam Clarke 2.Chris Edge
3.Louis Glaves 4.Ali Hassan
5.Albert Glaves 6.William Bayliff
Doubles
1.Clarke/Edge 2.Glaves/Glaves 3.Wilkinson/Hassan
DAY 1 – North Wales, Won 5 - 4
We beat the North Wales team last year but had lost two of our older boys and gained two younger boys so looking at the ratings we were favourites to win at the top end of the order but would find it tough lower down. However, I was confident of an overall win. William after a decent start was unable to close the match out and lost in three, perhaps a lack of recent tournament play showed. Albert started off playing great tennis and was 3/1 40/30 up when he was given a horrendous line call which he never got over letting one point effect a whole match. Hopefully he can learn from this. Ali was playing a very good player but after losing the first set 6/0 showed real character to fight back narrowly losing the next set 6/4. The match was then turned with Louis and Chris both played sublime tennis to destroy their opposite numbers 6/0 6/1 and 6/0 6/2. Then Sam won 6/4 6/2 to make it 3/3 after the singles and knowing how good Cumbria are at doubles we all felt confident of a victory. The Joseph/Ali partnership worked a treat winning 6/0 6/1 but then Louis/Albert lost in 3 sets from a winning position (concentration?). But as we were already well up at one doubles the result was never in doubt.
Overall a good team performance and nice to win on day one.
DAY 2 – Channel Islands, Won 7 - 2
This was a match we were confident of winning although the opposition did have at number one the outstanding player of the event. William played a much better game winning at number six but Albert lost a close match at five, again struggling to contain his emotions. Ali played an excellent match winning 6/2 6/0 and Louis and Chris again put in mature performances winning their matches whilst Sam worked hard but his opponent was just too good. But this left it 4 – 2 Cumbria after the singles. All three doubles were won with Joseph/Ali playing excellent tennis again, Louis/Albert were very solid in parts and won in three and an excellent performance by Sam/Chris to win at one.
7 – 2 Cumbria an excellent days tennis.
DAY 3 – Avon, Lost 5 – 3 (last rubber not played)
I kept with the philosophy of `you don`t change a winning team’ although if Joseph wasn`t carrying a sore shoulder and wasn`t so important for our doubles he could well have got a `run out’. Without doubt Avon were the favourites, we would need all the 50/50 matches to go our way. I was confident that if it was 3 – 3 after the singles then we would win and gain promotion. Will lost to a very good opponent at six but put up a good fight, Albert struggled at five against a boy who on another (calmer) day was beatable but then Chris dispatched of Avon`s number two in what seemed like minutes. We were 2 – 1 down with three matches on but were a set up in all three needing in my mind two wins. Day three pressure and tiredness caught up with Ali but then Louis won against a huge opponent in three sets running him ragged. Sam was having a battle at one against a higher rated player and also lost in 3 sets, 4 – 2 Avon. The Joseph/Ali combination which had played fantastically on the first two days just never got going with both players being a bit too emotional but the Glaves played their best doubles winning at two. The first doubles wasn`t played but I am sure we would have won.
Conclusion
An excellent weekend both on and off court, the boys were an absolute pleasure to take away and should be proud of their achievements. We were a very young team with only two of them being in the under 18 age group so lots of experience has been obtained which should stand them in good stead for future years. The team spirit was fantastic and all players should be proud of the part they played, both on and off court. A special mention to Louis and Chris whose on court focus and decision making has improved 100% in the last 12 months, to Ali who at 12 years old stepped into the world of `big boys tennis’ and to Kerran for simply being an outstanding team member.
A few of our players need to learn to stay calm and focused on court a touch better and also to compete a bit more especially in the lead up to the event.
All in all a fantastic weekend boys both on and off court, well done!!!
JON GRIFFIN
TEAM CAPTAIN/COACH