The 10U County Cup boys team were close to home in Ivybridge for their County Cup event, competing in a tough group of South West teams who are no strangers to the national finals in Sunderland.
Some fantastic wins in all 3 singles on the first day by Joshua Craze, Jacob Blacker-Rose and Oliver Sutton meant that we had already beaten a strong Avon team 3-0 going into the doubles. Similarly, against eventual winners Somerset we were 2-1 up after the singles thanks to two more great wins from Joshua and Oliver, but unfortunately the Devon boys lost out in doubles against both teams and finally in a tense match tie break shootout against Somerset.
Going into the Sunday, Devon were lying 3rd in the group with 2 matches left to play. After comfortably beating Cornwall 4-0 and coming through a great battle to win 3-1 against Dorset with super wins by Jacob and Oliver in the singles and Joshua and Jacob in the doubles, Devon's hopes were relying on other results going their way to make the final.
Unfortunately, a solid Somerset doubles pair beat Avon and Dorset to complete their wins, and Devon were announced as coming second. Although disappointing to come 2nd, it really was a fantastic achievement for the boys who acquitted themselves absolutely brilliantly and represented their County as well as they possibly could.
Team captain Ollie Sharpe (Exmouth) said, "It was an absolute pleasure to captain such a wonderful a group of boys throughout the whole weekend."
Team: Josh Craze (Torquay), Oliver Sutton (Torquay), Jacob B;ackler-Rose (Nuffield Devonhire), Alex Vosper (David Lloyd Exeter) Saturday only.
