In a close final tie, the Devon team of Taylor Ingham-Hill, Samuel Hopper, Robbie Broomhead, Morgan Hill, Beth Cooper, Emily Syms and Lucy Dart narrowly defeated Somerset to win the regional AEGON 9 & Under inter county competition.
The event which was due to take place outdoors at Taunton on Saturday 16 July almost became a victim of the unseasonable wet weather, but quick thinking by the organisers and an offer of assistance from the Exmouth Tennis & Leisure Centre saw the whole event moving to their indoor courts; players, parents, coaches and equipment all hot footing it down the M5!
Dorset had taken the decision to withdraw due to the weather so leaving Devon, Cornwall and Somerset to contest the event.
Each county match had 9 rubbers - 3 boys singles, 3 girls singles, boys doubles, girls doubles and mixed doubles.
Both Devon and Somerset beat Cornwall 6-3 and 5-4 respectively.
The Devon v Somerset match would decide the overall winner and this came right down to the last match between them, the mixed doubles, as the rubber score at that point was 4-4 Sam Hopper and Lucy Dart partnered up to face Somerset's William Chesterman and Rebecca Heaslewood and took the match 7-2, 8-6.
Devon beat Somerset 5-4 to become champions!
There were great performances from Beth Cooper who beat Cornish number 1, Amy Polybank 7-3, 7-1 in her singles and won a good doubles match against cornwall in the girls doubles.
There was a star performance by Robbie Broomhead, who won all his matches.
Team captain, coach Liam Storey said, "I was very pleased at Devon winning 9 & Under County Competition for the first time. All the children enjoyed the day and there was a good team atmosphere."
Debbie Hale, LTA Talent & Performance Co-ordinator for Devon & Cornwall added, "Our thanks to the Exmouth Tennis & Leisure Centre for helping us out at the last moment, enabling us to complete the event"