The D&C Girls County team had a tough but enjoyable weekend away in Birmingham playing in Group 3 of the Aegon County Cup at Edgbaston Priory Club. Day 1 saw us take on Staffordshire and we got off to a promising start with Lois Page and Chante Malo winning at number 4 and 5 respectively and Rebeca Richardson putting up a great fight at number 6 but narrowly missing out in 2 very close sets. The top end of Staffordshire’s team was very strong and proved too much for the D&C girls but they enjoyed the challenge of competing against some highly ranked players. The doubles again started well with the number 3 pairing of Lois and Aimee Devereux giving D&C a win and at number 2 Niamh Packer and Rebeca had their chances in the first set before losing 7-5 6-2. The number 1 doubles was always going to be tough but Emily Sim and Yasmin Tanfield played well and put up a good fight. We ended up losing 6-3 but felt we had had a real chance against the team that eventually went on to win the group.
Day 2 didn’t get off to the best start when due to an ankle injury we lost our number 1 player Emily, with everyone moving up a place against a strong Lancashire team it wasn’t going to be easy. Melissa Lowe stepped in at number 6 and was unfortunate not to take the first set against her opponent after a strong start, Rebeca put up yet another great effort but lost out 6-2, 7-6, the rest of the singles proved too much with the exception of Lois at number 3 who put in a determined effort to win 6-3 6-3 and give D&C their first point. The doubles saw us gain 1 more point with Rebeca and Lois just edging out their opponents 10-3 in the 3rd set match tie break for a well deserved win at number 2.
Day 3 and it all came down to us and North of Scotland, who would stay in group 3 and who would get relegated. Everyone had to move up another singles place as Yasmin had a prior tennis commitment elsewhere and without Emily too it proved to be a tough end to the weekend as we went down 5-2. Rebeca, after losing 2 close singles matches in the previous days got a 6-4 6-4 win on the 3rd day with a very gritty and determined performance and we ended things with another singles win at number 1 with a strong performance from Niamh Packer.
It wasn’t an easy weekend for the D&C girls but they should take great pride in their attitude and effort, despite the challenges their team spirit and enjoyment never wavered. Well Done to all the girls – Emily Sim, Yasmin Tanfield, Niamh Packer, Lois Page, Chante Malo, Rebeca Richardson, Melissa Lowe and Aimee Devereux.