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In a cruel twist of fate, the Derbyshire Boy's team were relegated from group 3A by the same narrow margin by which they were promoted last year, two points in a third set match tie-break.
With a possible six players unavailable for selection for a number of reasons, the team made the 350 mile round trip to South Wales with four newcomers to the team Tom Buchan, Jonty Holtum, Tom Bywater and Matthew Emmerson.
Venue Newport, South Wales
Derbyshire Team. Jacob East, James Riley, Daniel Lea, Thomas Bywater, Tom Buchan, Mark Eastall, Jonty Holtum and Matthew Emmerson.
Team Coach - Ashley Broomhead.
DAY 1 CHESHIRE 8 DERBYSHIRE 1
Both Cheshire and South Wales, opponents on the first two days, were equally strong teams and both favourites to win the group. The match against Cheshire on the Friday proved to be a chastening experience for the team. None of the six singles matches were won and only one of the three doubles matches won, Daniel Lea and James Riley playing at No. 1 won a close three set match 7-6, 2-6, 12-10.
DAY 2 SOUTH WALES 7 DERBYSHIRE 2
There was little change on day two, Saturday against South Wales with once again no singles won, all being lost in two sets as the previous day. However, two of the doubles matches were won by Tom Buchan and Mark Eastall playing at No. 3 and Jacob East and Tom Bywater at No. 2.
DAY 3 BUCKINHAMSHIRE 5 DERBYSHIRE 3 (1 match unfinished)
The final, deciding day arrived with Derbyshire knowing that they simply had to win by achieving five rubbers against Buckinghamshire, who had lost by similar scores to the other two counties also. Jonty Holtum, making his singles debut and Mark Eastall playing at Nos. 6 and 5 respectively both competed well, but both lost their matches in straight sets. Tom Buchan also lost, but put up a strong resistance before losing in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, claiming the first set to be won so far in the competition. With three remaining singles and three doubles matches left to play , five out of six were required to avoid defeat on the day and relegation, a tall order indeed. Things did not start well in the No. 3 singles match either for James Riley, losing the first set 6-3, but a sudden change began to happen with James storming back to take the second set 6-3 and completely taking over the match winning the third set 6-0. Was this the start of a revival of fortunes for Derbyshire? The answer, yes it was. Daniel Lea, who had shown improvement day by day in his own performance confidentally won his match, 6-2, 6-3 and Jacob East playing the top singles match after overcoming a nervous second set won his match 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.
Play during this match had been halted for a a brief time for a presentation ceremony to take place to the group winners, Cheshire who had overcome South Wales.
It was mid-afternoon, Cheshire and South Wales had begun their journey home, Derbyshire and Buckinghamshire stood level in the match at 3 - 3. The first of the three remaining doubles matches began, Tom Buchan and Mark Eastall could not overcome a strong third couple losing 6-2, 6-3, both remaining doubles matches had to be won by Derbyshire. Daniel Lea and James Riley after winning a first set tie-break, began to take charge of the top doubles match and raced into a 4-0 lead in the second set. On the adjacent court Jacob East and Tom Bywater had struggled in the first set, a possible reaction from Jacobs singles match, however they pulled themselves up and raced away with the second set 6-2 and started a match tie-break, which ran neck and neck to 8-8 until the Buckinghamshire pair snatched the two clear points for victory
There was no doubt that Lea and Riley would have gone onto win their match, had it been completed, so Derbyshire had staged a great fight back which had just failed at the last hurdle losing 5-4. It is worth noting that the standard of doubles, bearing in mind the pressure that both couples were playing under to win, was outstanding and some of the best I have seen in many years at County Cup and was a great credit to them. Derbyshire junior teams have always been regarded as very good doubles players and this came to the fore in these last two matches and nearly saved them.
This sadly is the last year for both Jacob East and James Riley, members of the team for a number of years who have contributed so much to Derbyshire junior tennis and who have both represented and competed for the county with pride on every occasion. The same can be said for Daniel Lea who has only been a member for the past two years, but in that time has shown a great improvement in his own performances in both singles and doubles and is also a credit to the county. I have been pleased to have been involved with them in some small way and wish them well in their senior tennis.
My thanks also to Ashley Broomhead, who both prepares and involves all the players during the weekend to enable them to compete and perform to their best in this great team competition.
And finally, to return to the team motto for the week end which was posted up in the minibus and was before them each day, PROUD TO BE DERBYSHIRE - 2013, they certainly were on that last day, which I will remember for a long time and sure they will also.
John Briggs. 18&U Team Manager.
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