Captain Richard Irwin's report on the recent 18U County Cup -
It was always going to be a tough weekend for our Dorset boy’s having a heavy revamp from the team that had almost gained promotion to Division 1 last year with 5 changes, all of whom have never represented Dorset at Under 18.
The team managed to stay up on the last day with an epic 5-4 win over Lancashire and it was perhaps fitting that it was an ace from the debutant Kieron Morrissey in what will be his last match for Dorset as a junior player that secured survival!
The weekend started in a tough way with our number 1 Jo Dodridge being unable to play due to a heavy exam schedule and he was sorely missed. Losing 6-3 to Cheshire, we felt hard done by as wins from Piers Farhang, Adam Glynn and a fantastic debut doubles win from Ben Battey partnering Farhang were unfortunately not backed up. A great fight from Shuei Belcher saw him lose in 3 sets while Gianpiero Placidi and Mark Laishley lost 10-8 in a 3rd set tiebreak in the doubles which could have swung the match in our favour. Day 2 and our number 1 had arrived but unfortunately we came up against the eventual winners Sussex who proved to be too strong. A strong performance by Adam Glynn who was playing his first event since minor knee surgery and a doubles win at number 1 for Glynn and Dodridge was all Dorset could manage but all 5 of the rubbers gained proved to be decisive and crucial to our survival.
With Lancashire having beaten Cheshire 5-4, we were the only team who hadn’t registered a win but due to the scores and rubber count amongst the other counties, our job was simple. Beat Lancashire and we stay up. All didn’t go to plan and after the first 3 singles, we found ourselves 3-0 down but knowing our strength was at the top of the order. Farhang Glynn and Dodridge all pulled through to put it at 3-3 going in to the doubles. A great effort from all 3 pairs and we found ourselves splitting the 1st and 3rd doubles. Farhang and Dodridge put in a very efficient performance in dispatching Lancashire’s number 1 while Placidi and Laishley couldn’t take their chances and came unstuck at 3rd pair. This left Glynn and Morrissey to seal survival in epic style as Morrissey’s ace out wide on sudden death deuce ensured Dorset will still be in Division 2 in 2015!
