In this year’s AEGON Winter County Cup, Dorset’s Men went to Lancashire’s South Ribble Tennis and Fitness Centre with ambitions of gaining promotion up to group 2. The format of the competition means that teams play all three of their group matches over a single weekend, which provides a stern test of endurance and determination for all competitors.
After a strong start to group 3a, Dorset’s hopes of getting promoted weren’t far from becoming a reality. Their first match, on the Friday, against Nottinghamshire showed early signs of the form needed to win the group. Five victories from the six singles matches was enough to give Dorset the win and two more wins out of the three doubles matches gave the team a convincing 7-2 triumph.
On the Saturday, the team’s second match of the group saw them come up against North of Scotland, who had been beaten in their opener by compatriots East Scotland. The two teams battled out an unbelievably close tie which was decided by the tightest of margins. After the six singles matches were shared at three all, the importance of the doubles matches sky-rocketed. A defeat in the first had left Dorset on the brink of losing the tie, but the team showed some outstanding resolve as they came from behind to claim a memorable victory. The team won both of the two remaining doubles matches via Champions tie-breaks.
Dorset’s third and final match was on the Sunday and only win would do against their promotion rivals East Scotland. But unfortunately for the team, their Highlands opponents were simply too strong as they wrapped up the tie after winning five of the six singles matches.
The result means that Dorset will remain in group 3a until next year. But they can without doubt take heart from their performance at the competition and will surely be in contention for promotion again in the next campaign.
Team captain David Sanger was positive about the team’s performance and he said: “Overall it was a great display from our team. All the players had great attitudes and worked hard for the team, this was relayed by the referee from the weekend”.
Match referee Bob Stone was also very complimentary of the Dorset team and the other counties’ squads in the group: “I have just refereed the Group 3A Men’s Winter County Cup at South Ribble Tennis Centre and wanted the opportunity to pass on my thanks to the four team captains and the players.
“Mike Wisner, Jon Pankhurst, Alan McDonald and David Sanger all did an outstanding job as team captains not only in working with me but also with their respective teams. The players too deserve thanks, without exception they were a credit to their counties. Often you only hear about the negative aspects, in this case it is a pleasure to be able to pass on a very positive message”.
For more information on Dorset Men’s experience in the AEGON Winter County Cup, please Click Here.
By Harry Lund