The Essex Boy’s U18 team travelled to Corby knowing that a good performance would virtually ensure promotion to Division 1 for next year’s competition. The team made up of Sam Bayda, James Caddies, Jared Linzell, and Andrew Berry made the early start required to get to the venue for the 10.30am start.
First opponents for Essex were Bedfordshire with Essex number four Andrew Berry quickly building a lead with a 4-1, 4-0 win against Benedict Turley. The match was levelled at 1-1 when Essex number three Jared Linzell lost his rubber to Ben Faulkner 2-4, 2-4. The Essex number one and two, Sam Bayda and James Caddies ensured a winning start for Essex recording 4-1, 4-1, and 4-2, 4-0 victories to give Essex a 3-1 result.
Next were Hereford and Worcester. Sam Bayda showed his all round improvement to despatch Oliver Nunn 4-0, 4-1 in quick time and this was to set the trend for the match with the whole team recording quick victories. James Caddies making his return from injury showed a welcome return to form beating Patrick Hyde 4-1, 4-1, and this was quickly followed by 4-0, 4-2, and 4-1, 4-2, wins for Jared Linzell and Andrew Berry to give Essex a 4-0 result.
Our final opponents were Nottinghamshire. Again Sam Bayda showed great quality beating the highly rated Donovan Cellupica-Towers 4-2, 5-3, in a fine display of power tennis. However Notts were soon level when Eban Straker-Meads defeated James Caddies 4-2, 5-4. Andrew Berry quickly overwhelmed Daniel Blackburn 4-0, 4-1, and it was left to Jared Linzell to clinch the match for Essex with a hard hitting see-saw win over James Chester coming through 4-2, 4-5, 11-9, and ensuring an overall 3-1 victory for Essex.
A fine day for the boys with everyone competing really well in every rubber to win the Under 18 Boy’s section – well done to all – and also congratulations to the girls who also won their event to maintain a big overall lead for Essex in the competition.
Will Calvert – Team Captain