Dorset 10 & Under Boys County Cup Team

Friday, June 26, 2009
Millen Hurrion, James Battye, Neil Cook (Captain), Freddie Powell and Finley Bygrave

Millen Hurrion, Finley Bygrave, Freddie Powell and James Battye represented Dorset in the 10 and under Regional County Cup held in Bristol.

With a format of three singles and one doubles it was always going to produce some close contests.

Matches tied at two rubbers each would be decided with a doubles tie-break to 10 points.

Dorset started their campaign with an emphatic 3-1 win over the Channel Islands.

With confidence growing, Dorset continued to play some very attacking tennis in both the singles and doubles throughout the day.

The Saturday evening saw Dorset and Avon play a group decider, although both counties were guaranteed to go through to the semi-finals. Avon came through 3-1 winners.

Although all the matches were close Dorset only managed to win one rubber, the doubles, with Powell and Battye beating Alexander Vincent and Edward Gardner.

The semi-finals on Sunday morning were between Dorset and Devon, and Avon and Somerset.

While Avon overcame Somerset 3-0 in less than one and a half hours, Dorset and Devon battled for over three hours after Bygrave and Hurrion used all their experience to give Dorset a 2-0 win – Finley beating Adam Cotgrove 4-0, 5-3 and Hurrion overcoming Connor Champ 5-3, 4-2.

Devon refused to concede the all-important third rubber and fought back with Reece Allen beating Powell 4-1, 5-3, and in an epic doubles match Allen and Champ beat Bygrave and Hurrion 4-2, 2-4, 1-0 (7) third set 10-point tie-break.

With the scores tied at two rubbers each the captains had to send in another doubles pair to play a 10-point tie-break decider.

Both skippers decided to send the same pair out for the decider.

With Devon winning the first four points without reply, the Dorset duo was looking vulnerable, until a big forehand from Hurrion saw Dorset get their first point.

Showing all their experience, Dorset played a more attacking formation and won the next five points without reply from 6-4 ahead they kept their composure to win the tie-break 10-8.

The semi-final seemed to take a lot out of the Dorset players and although they fought hard, Avon ran out comfortable winners in the final 3-1.

 
 

DORSET | TENNIS

C/o The West Hants Club
Roslin Road South
Bournemouth
Dorset BH3 7EF
01202 519694
info@dorsetlta.co.uk