A fantastic weekend – girls were amazing and the support from the parents brilliant.
We had some very good teams in our group so we knew that we were going to up against some tough opposition, and the girls were ready for a good battle.
There were 5 in our group so we played all 4 counties in a round robin.
Saturday we woke up to brilliant blue skies and a perfect day for tennis – off to Lytham St Anne’s tennis club, a lovely friendly club.
Our 1st opposition was Cheshire and all 3 girls Grace Hildreth, Libby Darley Francesca Simpson went on and won their singles.
We then had to face the very strong Lancashire team– the girls put up a good fight but unfortunately we went 3-0 down. The format is such that the singles is played first and then the 1 doubles match against each county follows.
Grace Hildreth and Libby Darley our No1 and No2 players showed as how to play doubles with both of them communicating on court, getting to the net and playing a very professional game of doubles – they beat Cheshire comfortably and then went onto play Lancashire who they also beat. This was one of the best 10U girls doubles match that I have watched all 4 girls were attacking, communicating and getting to the net. Fantastic!!
After our good efforts we then headed off to the beach for a bit of girlie time.
Sunday again blue skies, another perfect day, we started off against the Yorkshire No3, Francesca Simpson (9) fought hard and had a brilliant match she won the 1st set, but then her opponent who was taller and stronger starting hitting the winners and Francesca narrowly lost in a 3rd set match tiebreak. No 1 and 2 both comfortably won their singles giving us a 2-1 lead. Then we played Isle of Man and Isobel Le Clerc played at 3 and Francesca at 2 with Grace at 1, we won all 3 singles.
Doubles again was good, Grace & Libby played Yorkshire and won and Isobelle and Francesa played Isle of Man and also won.
We were the only team to take a rubber off Lancashire and it was very rewarding that the girls came a well deserved runners up.
The weekend was enjoyable helped by the sun and the brilliant tennis.
I was a very proud captain of the Durham & Cleveland girls.
Anne Clayton
Captain
Quotes from the girls:-
‘I loved representing my County & playing as part of a team. I really enjoyed playing outside in the glorious sunshine. It was a great experience being Libby's partner especially as we won all our doubles matches. We even had time to play on the beach too! Very proud to finish as runners up to a strong Lancashire team’. Grace
‘Had a fab weekend at county cup. We all worked together as a team and were buzzing that we came Runner's up against some really tough Counties.
To top it off the weather was amazing and we even got to go on the beach’.
Thanks Libby X
‘I enjoyed playing my matches at the County Cup tournament because every one played fair and played well. I loved playing for a team’. Francesca
'I really enjoyed being part of the team and having a chance to play doubles with friends.' Isobelle