Dorset’s Canford School were in strong company after they were drawn in group B of the AEGON Team Tennis Schools tournament at the Bolton Arena, Lancashire. They were up against second seeds St.Georges College, Ellesmere College and Stowe School.
Canford suffered a baptism of fire on the first day of the tournament. Their first match, versus Ellesmere, proved to be a learning experience against some top opposition, who would go on to win the overall competition. A 10-2 defeat was a big set-back for Canford, but their player no doubt learnt some valuable lessons from the tie. Ellie Drysdale was able to pick up the team’s only points of the tie after she won her singles match against Rusne Butkute 6-1.
Unfortunately, the team’s second match of the opening day went the same way as the first. Playing St.Georges, the tournament’s second seeds, Canford put up a good fight but were unable to keep up with their opponents. Laura Andrews and Sophie Taylor won their doubles match against Stephanie Cockram and Lauren Smith 6-3 to give Canford their only points of the tie.
The team’s final match of the group stage was against Stowe School, who had similarly been beaten by Ellesmere and St.Georges in their previous matches. A superb team performance from Canford helped them secure their first win of the tournament and meant that they finished third in their group, ahead of their opponents Stowe. Sophie Taylor and Ellie Drysdale combined to win their doubles match 6-0, before both players went on to win their singles matches. Taylor beat Stowe’s Megan Duckett 6-3, whilst Drysdale won 6-4 against Martina Fidanova. Alice Thornton scored Canford’s final points thanks to a 6-4 victory over Charlotte Berrill.
Canford can take a lot of positives from their time at the tournament. With all 4 members of the squad scoring points throughout the group stage, the players can take confidence from their performances and contribution towards to team’s showing.
By Harry Lund