Captain: Alan Smith.
Day 1
After a 7.30am start and a hearty breakfast from Brewers Fayre and a good night sleep at the Premier Inn Widnes, we arrived at the Widnes tennis club at around 8.40am to get a good practice session in before the start of the day. Also in our division were Lancashire and Cheshire county.
Our first match was against Cheshire county and first up for Durham & Cleveland playing in 3rd position was Harry Tweed facing Lewis Wilson. Harry started the game slow, but then relaxed in to it and really pushed his opposition in the first set but just couldn’t convert the big game points. Harry continued to play well in the conditions, as rain and wind was impacting play. Unfortunately, it was just too tough for him but he played very well and kept working hard.
Next up was Theo Garton playing at 2 vs. Charlie Clarke and Joel Gibson playing 1 vs. Mason Dace. Joel and Theo both had a good time of it in the singles and were playing the conditions well. After Joel lost the first set 2-4, he rallied really well and fought hard to come out on top with a great display of his forehand and finishing shots. He went on to win 2-4, 5-4 (4), 10-7 in the match tie break.
Theo didn't look flustered at all in the first set, showing some real skill and executing drop shots at the right time. He went 4-0, 3-0 up and was well on the way to victory but still had to tough it out as Charlie wasn't giving up. Theo managed to collect himself at 3-3 and come through the match 5-3 in the second set with some great shot making. This gave Durham & Cleveland a great chance to beat Cheshire, as we were 2-1 up going into the doubles. Joel and Theo were picked for the doubles off the back of their great singles performances. Unfortunately, things didn't start well in the doubles after Cheshire made two changes which really threw our doubles pair. They came out of the blocks really fast. Joel and Theo didn’t have any answers and lost the first set 4-1. The same continued and they both looked flat. They tried to change some tactics, but nothing seemed to work and they lost the second set 4-0 . The overall match was decided on a match tie break to 10 points. Joel and Theo we both keen to be involved and suddenly realised it wasn't over and a spark went off in their heads. Their feet started moving and they were actually playing good doubles. The tie break was neck and neck and reached 9-9 after some great defensive work by Theo and solid volleying by Joel. Unfortunately, lady luck was not our side and we were on the receiving end of a cruel net cord at 12-11. This sealed our fate, as Cheshire ended up winning 13-11. However, I know our boys played so well and really showed everyone how they could play. Well done Theo and Joel; what a great effort.
Next up was Lancashire. The Durham & Cleveland team for this match was: Joel Gibson at 1, Theo Garton at 2 and Jack Thompson at 3 with Manoj Munipalle and Jack Thompson playing Doubles. Lancashire came out very strong as Theo Garton lost in straight sets, 4-2 4-2, to Ruben. He fought hard, but Ruben was playing a solid game for Lancashire and had a good forehand. Joel’s challenge was slightly different in Tomas, a player ranked top 20 in the country, and we saw Joel really play some of his best tennis as he managed to test Tomas; only narrowly losing the first set 5-3. Tomas was too steady in the wind in the second set and took it 4-1, but a good effort from both 1 and 2 singles players.
Jack Thompson was up against Jack, who had a very good serve and a solid forehand. Jack Thompson struck first with a great first game. Jack for Lancashire was shook up, but he regained his composure and managed to move Jack Thompson around the court and win the first set 4-1 and the second set 4-0. Jack Thompson fought hard, even though the score sounds one-sided.
Durham & Cleveland were up against it after that; we were 3-0 down in the match going into the doubles. Manoj and Jack Thompson played the doubles and gave a valiant effort and, in their words, played really well up until the last points. The just couldn’t convert them. Manoj and Jack shows some great teamwork and played with a great spirit.
After that match, we finished bottom of our group which meant that we played the Isle of Man for 5th & 6th place on Sunday. The players for Durham & Cleveland can keep their heads held high after a long and challenging day for the team. They also had a meal, chosen by the player of the day Joel Gibson, and his choice was Nandos.
Day 2
Today's objective as a team was to play the Isle of Man and try our best to come 5th in the competition.
We got off to a great start, with Joel Gibson brushing aside their number 1 4-1, 4-0 with a great display of consistency and quality ball striking. Theo Garton was up next against a very compact player. Theo was feeling his arm tighten up early in the first set, but managed to shake it off and come through the first set 5-4. Theo then started to make his shots count and moved his opponent all around the court; winning the second set 4-1. This left Durham & Cleveland 2-0 up going in the third singles. Manoj stepped up for his first singles match of the weekend. He started really well and was very consistent with his forehand, as he took the first set 4-1. The second set he lost 1-4, as his backhand seemed to tighten up. Manoj managed to figure it out for the match tie break. He came through 10-5 with a good, consistent display of tennis. While that match was going on, Jack Thompson and Harry Tweed teamed up to play the doubles. To be honest, they never looked in any danger of losing; some great volleying and return of serves made it an easy job for the pair. The final score was 6-0, as Durham & Cleveland finished 5th for the weekend and a great time was had by all.
The boys were asked at the end of the trip what their highlights were and this is what they said:
Highlights
Manoj Manupalle: the breakfast.
Harry Tweed: watching the standard of tennis.
Jack Thompson: winning doubles.
Theo Garton: catching a jelly bean in his mouth.
Joel Gibson: beating Mason Dace.
Very mixed answers, but a great time was had by everyone. Well done to all involved :-)