Boy’s U18’s Division 1
The Essex team for the U18’s 12 Counties consisted of Tom Pudney, Jared Linzell, Sam Bayda and Peter Odegbami. The Essex boys were in division 1 which consisted of Hertfordshire, Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire. First up the team faced Hertfordshire with Pudney and Linzell kicking off the singles. Pudney came up against a strong and in form Herts number 1 and couldn’t quite get going and lost 4-0, 4-0. Linzell got off to a good start and had opportunities to take the first set but the Herts 2 fought back and denied Linzell a win taking the match 5-3, 4-1. Bayda was up next and come out the blocks fast playing some good aggressive tennis which the Herts 3 had no answer for, Bayda raced to a 4-2, 4-0 win getting Essex’s first rubber. Last up was Odegbami who got off to a good start breaking his opponent early and taking the first set quickly 4-1 but the Herts 4 fought back in the second set which became a tight affair with the Herts 4 taking it 5-3. So into the third set tie-break and Odegbami played solid tennis to take the win 4-1, 3-5, 10-5 tying the match 2-2.
Next up was Yorkshire; Pudney came out strong and displayed some great tennis to race off a 4-2, 4-1 win against the Yorks 1. Linzell came out of the blocks slowly against the Yorks 2 who took advantage and won the first set 4-2. Linzell woke up in the second set and started to play some better tennis to take the set and go into the third set tie-break, the tie-break was tight but Linzell eventually clinched it and the match 2-4, 4-2, 10-8. Bayda carried his form into the next match and again played very well to demolish the Yorks 3 4-2, 4-0. Odegbami was last up and proved too much for the Yorks 4 winning 4-1, 4-2 sealing a 4-0 win for Essex.
Last up was Cambridgeshire and Pudney was up first against a solid Cambs 1 and couldn’t find a way to deal with his opponents good play losing 4-1, 4-0. Linzell also came up against a tough opponent and couldn’t find his form losing 4-0, 4-0. Bayda was given a walkover as the Cambs 3 was injured and last up to try and tie the match was Odegbami who started off extremely well winning the first set 4-0 but his opponent fought back and turned it into a match in the second with Odegbami letting him back in to take the set. The third set tie-break was extremely tight and close with Odegbami having chances but couldn’t close out the match and lost 4-0, 3-5, 9-11. Cambridgeshire won 3-1
Overall Hertfordshire came 1st, Cambridgeshire 2nd, Essex 3rd and Yorkshire 4th. Well done to all the boys on their effort and support they put in on the day.
Luke Spooner- Essex Team Captain