Qualifying Group E – Warrington
| Final Positions |
Wins |
Rubbers |
| Lancashire |
3 |
12 |
| Essex |
2 |
15 |
| East of Scotland |
2 |
12 |
| Cumbria |
1 |
8 |
| Durham & Cleveland |
1 |
5 |
| North of Scotland |
0 |
2 |
Cumbria’s Team:
James Hale (U13), James Griffin (U12), Billy Blaydes (U12), Harrison Savage (U14), Reserve Louis Pickering (U13)
Foreword
Going into this year`s event our number one, Ali Hassan was picked to represent Great Britain, which was great news for him (many congratulations, Ali) This unfortunately meant that he was unable to play within the Cumbrian U14 Team, and subsequently pushed all the players one place higher in the order. The boys were a great group who got on very well and enjoyed the County Cup experience. They will all be involved in the Cumbria team for many years to come and have gained valuable experience for future years. Off court the boys kindly allowed their coach to win at ten pin bowling! Louis managed to gutter 15 of his 20 bowls and Billy managed to miss the lane completely with his first shot! Harrison`s all time record low of 23 still stands though.
DAY 1 – Essex lost 6 - 0
A match played on wet greasy courts against older, stronger boys was not the ideal start. However, James H battled well at one but lost to a very solid player ranked 27. James G played well against a boy two years his elder and Billy put in a great battling performance at three, losing in the end in three sets. Harrison played well but found his opponent just too consistent from the back of the court.
DAY 2 – North of Scotland won 6 – 0
The reverse of day one, we were the higher rated/ranked in all matches so we went into day two confidently. James H dispatched his opponent with ease, and both James G and Billy won in two sets against opponents who were better than expected. Louis then won a long three setter at number four. In the doubles, James H/Billy and James G/Harrison both put in solid performances to make it 6 – 0 Cumbria!
DAY 3 – East of Scotland lost 4 – 2 (3rd/4th play off)
Day three gave us another tough with James H coming up against a very good opponent who never missed for two sets. James G lost a long match in three sets against a boy two years his elder. We felt Billy had the best chance of picking up a singles and he put in a very good performance to win 5 & 4. In the doubles James H/Billy played the best doubles I have seen from them, executing their tactics of focusing on the weaker player extremely well.
The whole event was played in some pretty poor weather with rain, wind and wet courts making playing conditions tough, but the boys had great team spirit and all players should be proud of the part they played. I hope the boys enjoyed our on and off court `chats’ and learned from the county cup experience.
A big thank you has to go out to all the Parents, team and training squad for all the support and kind words, both in the lead up to the County Cup and at the event itself. It is very much appreciated.
JON GRIFFIN
TEAM CAPTAIN/COACH