Friday:
Against a weakened Hampshire side, the boys did exactly what was asked of them and gave our local rivals a whitewash of 9-0. Ollie Brown played his only match of the weekend winning at number 6 in place of Tim Prossor.
Saturday:
Middlesex looked a tough match up on paper however, again Dorset pulled through in several tough matches and had won the tie 5-1 after the singles. Following a clean sweep in the doubles, Dorset recorded an 8-1 win. Sam Glynn came in at 6 in place of Ollie Brown and had to fight back from 5-2 down in the 2nd set to win. Piers Farhang came from a set down to beat George Davies 6-3 in the 3rd set while convincing displays from both Tim Prossor and Dan Gilbert at numbers 5 and 3 put us in the driving seat. Joe Dodridge came unstuck at number 2 though and it was left to Adam Glynn the Dorset number 1 to fight past Joshua Page, a recent Nationals Champion, winning 6-3 in the 3rd set to give Dorset the much deserved win. Adam Watson was unavailable for the Saturday but came back for the Sunday giving Dorset their strongest team ever in recent years ahead of the Division 1 promotion match against Essex.
Sunday:
Tim Prossor started well at number 6 taking the first set convincingly 6-2 while Piers Farhang continued to power through the lower ranks of our opposing teams. However, as Farhang kept his 100% record for the weekend going, Prossor became nervous, losing in the 3rd set to leave the score at 1-1 after the first round of matches. As Dan Gilbert took the first set against Jared Linzell and went a break up, Dorset was looking good. Meanwhile Adam Watson came up against a better player in Ryan Peniston of Essex and was dispatched convincingly 6-1 6-2. Much like Prossor, Gilbert let a lead slip and Linzell produced some massive tennis when needed to take the 2nd and 3rd set. 3-1 Essex and all to do for Dorset. Thankfully our top end stayed strong under pressure and as Adam Glynn confirmed his role as the best number 1 at the event by demolishing Lewis Thomson 6-3 6-0. Dodridge was made to work hard but eventually came through against Kane Patience 6-1 in the 3rd set. At 3-3 going in to the doubles, I felt the advantage was with Dorset as our doubles pairings were strong throughout and as the most inexperienced pair of Prossor and Farhang walked through the first set 6-1, it was looking good. In the number 2 pair, Watson and Gilbert hadn't been able to produce the tennis they knew they were capable of and found themselves a set down. However, they switched it on and outclassed their opponents in the 2nd set. Prossor and Farhang lost their way and both matches found themselves at a set all and into a championship tie break. Meanwhile the number 1 pair of Glynn and Dodridge had started and were blasting their way to victory leading 4-0 meaning Dorset just needed one of these 2 championship tiebreaks to gain promotion. Essex playing at their home club had masses of support so the atmosphere was electric putting the pressure on for Dorset with just myself and our 2 substitutes cheering on the 3 pairs while the 50 strong Essex crowd got behind their boys. As the tiebreaks swung back and forth Watson and Gilbert found themselves 8-4 down while Prossor and Farhang had a match point. A brave fight back to 8-7 put Watson and Gilbert in with a chance but Essex held on to take the rubber. On court 3, a nervous return put the score at 9-9 and then 10-9 to Essex. A great serve from Farhang kept Dorset in the tie and we found ourselves with another match point. Good play from Essex put the score back to 11-11. 2 points later however and some determined play from the Essex number 3 pair and the dream was over for Dorset.
A heart breaking end to what could have been an incredible moment in Dorset's U18 history with a team making it to Division 1 but this shouldn't overlook the massive achievement this group of players have achieved. As a small county, it is hard to realise the phenomenal success they have had in competing in the same division as the likes of Essex, Middlesex, Kent, Warwickshire, Surrey and Yorkshire.
A great weekend for me with not only a group of great tennis players, but as great individuals who will go on to achieve fantastic things, be it in tennis or not, in the very near future!
Rich Irwin
Team Captain
