Essex Boys Under 18 team have failed to retain their Division 2 status despite best efforts in a very strong group 2b that included Buckinghamshire, Dorset, and Middlesex sides.
The squad consisting of Sam Bayda, Andrew Berry, James Caddies, Darien Lamb, Jared Linzell, David Mould, Thomas Pudney, and Nick Wade assembled at the Premier Inn at Welwyn on Thursday afternoon in order to prepare for the competition starting the following day.
Our first test was against Dorset and despite the best efforts of Andrew Berry and Nick Wade we were soon 2-0 down and with Darien Lamb losing to Harry Butler it was quickly 3-0. The Essex fight back began with experienced County Cup player Jared Linzell defeating Finlay Bygrave and his spirited performance was backed up by Thomas Pudney playing at two and an inspired Sam Bayda playing at one who both provided Essex with convincing wins to level the tie at 3-3. And so as is often the case in the County Cup things moved on to the all important doubles with things becoming even more nail biting when Bayda and Pudney won their rubber and Dorset than levelled the tie at 4-4 by winning the second string doubles. This meant the match would be decided by the third string doubles and unfortunately despite their best efforts Andrew Berry and James Caddies went down to a 7-6, 7-6, defeat losing two very competitive tie breaks which gave dorset a very narrow 5-4 victory.
Day two and the opposition was Middlesex who were the favourites to win the event and they were to prove too strong for us as we went down to a 7-2 defeat. This was a day when Essex lost a number of hard fought rubbers by narrow margins David Mould, Jared Linzell and Tom Pudney all losing matches that might have gone either way. From an Essex point of view the day belonged to Sam Bayda who was superb in the number one singles beating the highly rated Enrique Vidal 6-2, 7-5, in spectacular style. There was also a fine doubles win for Andrew Berry and Nick Wade.
Day three saw us playing Buckinghamshire in what was a relegation play off. The match was played with total commitment by both teams in a highly charged atmosphere that was sustained throughout the tie. Bucks gained an early lead when Lee Tribe defeated David Mould but Essex fought back hard with Nick Wade recording a fine three set victory against Jake Williams with both players sustaining a very good level throughout the match. Essex were soon in front when James Caddies found his form to defeat Thomas Schmidt in three hard fought sets. Jared Linzell was unable to sustain an inspired start against the highly rated Jack Molloy and Thomas Pudney went down to Michael Shaw in a long battle. Sam Bayda was again superb but eventually lost what was probably the best match of the weekend to Barnaby Smith. We moved on to the doubles and Linzell and Caddies quickly established a lead in the second string doubles. At the same time Wade and Berry were locked in a tense battle on the next court eventually losing 6-4, 6-3, despite their efforts and with the tie decided in Bucks favour the match came to an end.
We were of course all disappointed with the result, but all of our players worked very hard and competed well in every rubber and we had to accept that we had lost to strong opposition that had played very well. Sam Bayda and Jared Linzell have been involved in many Junior County Cup campaigns and they are now sadly out of the age group. We wish them both well with their tennis in the future.
Many thanks to all of the parents and supporters who turned out to watch and cheer the boys on your support was, as always, most welcome.
Finally thanks to my Vice Captain Luke Spooner and to senior selector Graham Ray for your constant support.
Will Calvert – 2015 Essex Boy’s U18 Junior County Cup Captain