This year our team consisted of Zoe Mellis, Mandy Wainwright, Sophie Cockell, Sarah Warner, Nell Mead and Claire Frewer. A huge thank you goes to Nell Mead who played her first match for Essex at very short notice. It was unfortunate that Helen Crook injured herself just two weeks before the tournament but fortunately Nell stepped in and slotted into the team without fuss and with great enthusiasm. Helen Crook, who spotted her playing at her home club, Connaught, recruited Nell. With more match practice and some support from the County, Nell has the potential to be a future member of the team. We must thank her also for her additional physio services to the team! Her on and off court treatment and advice was greatly appreciated by the whole team.
It was also Sophie Cockell’s first year in the over 35’s. She was a huge asset to the team; showing us her fantastic doubles skills and quick hands at the net. In fact, I have never seen so much lob volleys in all my life!! Sophie is a great team player, supported every match and it was truly a pleasure to have her on the team.
As always, Zoe put 110% effort into all her matches and her commitment to the team is fantastic. She worked so hard that unfortunately pulled a muscle during her singles match on the last day. This was so unfortunate because Zoe was playing some brilliant tennis and beating her opponent who is experienced and plays competitive tennis regularly. It was hard for Zoe to concede the match from a winning position and it was even harder for her because she hates to let the team down. Zoe has offered her help to recruit and confirm players for next year’s team – an example of how much this tournament means to her.
Mandy demonstrated her physical strength and desire to win in all her matches despite breaking her finger again this year. Her preference to play doubles on days 2 and 3 worked well for the team and as always she’s a pleasure to watch. We can only hope that Mandy is available to play again in 2016 because the team wouldn’t be the same without her.
Sarah Warner made a huge effort to play for us this year on the Friday – without her we would have struggled to have a team. She worked so hard and ran around the court playing some fantastic tennis. Her ability to concentrate despite having her two young boys sitting at courtside watching was incredible. We hope that Sarah will be available for the whole weekend next year.
I was lucky to play one match for the county this year, which made the weekend all the better for me. To win the final match with Nell was fantastic and I hope that my back will strengthen over the next 12 months and if I work hard, I hope to be a playing member of the team next year.
A big thank you must also go to those who travelled to watch and support (including Chris Jolly, Pat Wire, Helen Crook, Jo Ward, Mr & Mrs Wainwright, Mrs Crook, Mr & Mrs Hammond, Mr Mellis and other friends and family). This support always makes such a great difference and is appreciated by all the players. The supporters trophy this year must go to Alice!! Some great comments and courtside clapping!!
Friday 7 August vs Devon
Essex 2 Devon 3
Saturday 8 August vs Hertfordshire
Essex 3 Herts 2
Sunday 9th August vs Hereford & Worcester
Essex 3 H&W 2
Individual results
Friday vs Devon
1. Zoe Mellis bt Jo Louis 6-3 6-4
2. Mandy Wainwright lost Kate Brown 6-2 6-4
3. Sarah Warner & Sophie Cockell lost Kirsty Gray & Karen Clark 6-4 6-7 (10-8 championship tie-break)
4. Sarah Warner & Sophie Cockell lost Jo Louis & Kate Brown 6-3 6-3
5. Zoe Mellis & Mandy Wainwright bt Kirsty Gray & Karen Clark 6-1 6-2
Saturday vs Herts
1. Nell Mead lost Kate Peel 6-2 6-0
2. Zoe Mellis bt Jenny Webster 6-4 6-2
3. Sophie Cockell & Mandy Wainwright bt Sian Southwell – Sanderson & Sarah Donovan 6-2 3-6 (10 – 4 championship tiebreak)
4. Zoe Mellis & Nell Mead lost Sian S-S & Sarah Donovan 7-6 6-1
5. Sophie Cockell & Mandy Wainwright bt Kate Peel & Jenny Webster 6-2 6-3
Sunday vs H&W (scores to the best of my memory!!)
1. Nell Mead lost Kate Miles 6-2 6-0
2. Zoe Mellis lost Jo Shepherd winning at 6-3 3-4 retired
3. Sophie Cockell & Mandy Wainwright bt Rachel Prudden & Alison Kirkwood 6-4 6-0
4. Sophie Cockell & Mandy Wainwright bt Jo Shepherd & Katie Miles 6-3 6-4
5. Nell Mead & Claire Frewer bt Rachel Prudden & Pauline Fisher 6-3 6-4
Claire Frewer/Ladies O'35s Captain