Our loss on the first day to Leicestershire was disappointing. Although it was close (4-5), I was convinced they were a beatable team, what with one of their players being forced to spend the day serving under arm, and others being covered in that "magic tape" that seems to keep so many players able to play through niggling injuries.
Tuesday we played Northumberland. Helen teamed up with young Annali and after a wobbly first match loss, got their heads together to join the rest of the team's winning ways. Alex and Eva (both on scholarship at Texas State University) decided that the hottest day of the year, was the ideal time to show how un-phased by the heat they were. They battled to win 2 three-set matches together. In round 3, Andre stepped in for Alex and showed her incredible ability to hit rocket launchers from any part of the court. Her and Eva won the first set easily, however, they came off the pace at 5-2 up and dropped the second set, and instead won ANOTHER 3 set match! What a long hot day, but an 8-1 win put us at the top of the table for day 3.
Wednesday had the potential to be a close match against Lincolnshire, who had 2 strong pairs, and a weak third.
Aimee and Eden had a struggle in their first set of the day, against the previously world ranked Yasmin Clarke and partner, but they pulled through and won in the third set. We won 6-3, with Andrea and Andre, Eva and Alex only picking up wins against Lincs' number 3 pair.
Thursday had been anticipated as an easier day against Notts, however, they had a surprise win on Wednesday, against Hants (the other strongest team in the box.) Helen partnered Olivia and took the pressure off Essex early by winning their first match against the Notts strongest pairing. They won all 3, along with Aimee and Eden, while our youthful pairing of Annali and Andre managed 1 win to take us to a 7-2 win overall. A great result, which kept us at the top of the table going into day 5 where we faced Hampshire and Isle of White.
We knew if we won overall, then we would win the division. However, if we lost, we weren't guaranteed to get promotion as there were other teams with equal wins, so it would have come down to rubbers.
We started extremely strong. Eden and Aimee (going for 15 wins) knew they had to play a pair who had also been undefeated all week. There had been rumours that one of the pair wasn't going to play on Friday, but she turned up, and they changed their line up so that they played first round. Undisturbed by this, Aimee and Eden stepped up and took a convincing win. Helen and Livs also got a win. After the second round we were 4-2 up and just needed 1 rubber to win the division. Our ones got the win early with a 6-0, 6-0 win over their weakest pair. A 5-4 win meant we won the division.
Interestingly, the Leicestershire team, the only team that beat us, came bottom of the box. (I knew they looked beatable on day 1:)
We had a fantastic week, and it was great to welcome Andrea, our new Irish-Essex player to the team, along with Andre, the Lithuanian-Essex giant, both making their debuts at a successful county week.
It was brilliant to have the pairing of Aimee and Eden leading the way, being undefeated all week and playing some inspirational tennis. I think it was extra special for them, since they're also best of friends. The pressure is on for next year, can they do it again in division 2?
Essex ladies are now in division 2 in both the winter event (where we will be competing at Easton Tennis Centre, Norwich in November) and the summer event.
Mel Holmes/Essex Ladies Captain