Teams:
9U Boys
James Stanley
Otto Friedlein
Flynn Godfrey
10U Boys
Jude Butler
Scott Bowman
Zach Bridges
12U Boys
Anthony Weingarten
Sam Constantinou
Anthony Wright
Saturday 30th April & Sunday 1st May
10U Boys arrived bright and early to take on Suffolk. Great start to the day with Scott winning two straight sets 4 - 0 4 - 0. Both Jude and Zach had very close matches, at 11 - 11 in Jude's tie break the ball clipped the net and the tie break finished 11 - 13. After losing the first set, Zach flew into a 3 - 0 lead but was pegged back eventually losing 5 - 3. Not the best of starts, but lots of matches to come.
The 10 boys then took on a strong Hertfordshire team after their battle against Suffolk. Scott, Jude and Zach all fought for an Essex win, Jude once again going to a tie break. The matches were close and tough, but unfortunately an Essex defeat.
The 12U Boys joined us mid-morning to take on a strong Cambridgeshire side. Anthony Wright led Essex with a win, Cambridgeshire fought back and despite Sam's fantastic efforts there was a loss. Anthony Weingarten continued, and the game eventually finished in a very close second set, and Cambridgeshire took the win.
Shortly after the 12 boys were back out against Buckinghamshire, Anthony Wright lead the Essex team with a great first win, followed by Sam with another victory! Anthony Weingarten finished day one with a 4 - 0 4 - 0 win. Excellent finish for day one... hoping for the best tomorrow!
Another day and a new start the under 12 boys first against Oxfordshire they change the mood of the day with a good 3 to 0 win a tight match with the two number ones with Anthony Weingarten closing out in a second set tie break
The 10 boys out next Scott Bowman fighting back in first set and setting up a possible win for the 10 boys, Jude narrowly losing the Cambridge number 1 left it all down to third rubber Zach bridges fought hard and saw the first team win for the under 10 boys well done boys fighting spirit come to the forefront
Second match of the Day 12 Boys convincing win against Northhants 3 to 0 boys finishing second in there box great effort
Out came the 10 boys with a tough one against Norfolk Jude Butler winning against the number one then the undefeated Scott Bowman losing his excellent winning streak so 1 all in rubbers down to Zach never in doubt he makes it 2 1 to Essex the boys finishing third in there box and will play Oxfordshire for fifth and sixth a great comeback after the first Day
The 10 Boys winning spree sadly came to an abrupt end with a 3 to 0 loss so finishing in sixth Place
The 12 Boys faced Suffolk and after the first 2 rubbers the match was level all up to Anthony Weingarten who soundly beat the Suffolk number one leaving the boys in Third place
Now the nine boys under way Essex played Oxfordshire in first round with a loss 2 to 1, second match against Bucks a good 3 nil win followed by same score against Berkshire last match of the group against Norfolk saw a 3 nil win again that meant that the box winners where to be decided on countback and Essex came out on top
The final of 9 boys between Essex and Hertfordshire the result although disappointing loosing 3 to 0 did not reflect the games played some great tennis from both Counties
Combined result with the girls left Essex second overall considering missing a few players a great effort from all the Players and indeed satisfying result
9 U Girls
Sophie Thompson
Vanessa Mueller
Shami Ndoro
10 U Girls
Selena Braithwaite
Natalie Crawford
Ellie Blackford
11 U Girls
Iman Khan
Azra Ozerin
Imogen Brooker
The first surprise of the weekend was the fine weather, after last year everyone had come prepared with hats and gloves but sun screen was needed!.
The 10 and unders kicked off the competition for the girls and started with a 3-0 win over Beds, the 12’s followed with the same score against Oxfordshire. The second round paired the 10’s against Norfolk and 12’s against Bucks and despite a couple of high quality matches looking like they could go either way both teams recorded a 2-1 victory. The final round saw the 10’s take on Suffolk and the 12’ Berkshire, again 2-1 victories were recorded leaving both teams in pole position at the end of day 1. The girls left knowing that they were close to a place in their respective finals.
The 9’s girls arrived for a 2pm start, and after fast and furious 3 set tie break matches against Suffolk, Oxfordshire and Beds Sophie, Vanessa and Shami found themselves one match away from the final…unfortunately it was not to be as a stronger team from Herts scored a decisive 3-0 victory which left the girls playing Norfolk for 3/4th play-off. Shami scored an early win at 3 for the team and Sophie and Vanessa’s matches see sawed much to the anxiety of the crowd but unfortunately it was not to be as Norfolk edged though 2-1.
All matches were completed by 6 pm which in Lionel Cox terms is a half-day!
Day 2 again started with more fine weather and high hopes!
First on court were the 10 girls against Cambs playing for a place in the final. Ellie got the team off to a fine start with a comfortable win, and despite trying their best Selena and Natalie were outplayed by their opponents. The final score of 2-1 meant that the girls would be playing for a bronze medal in the 3/4th Playoff.
The 12 Girls started the day on a mission, they continued their winning ways trouncing Norfolk 3-0 and Iman, Azra and Imogen didn’t drop a set in this round. This put them into their age group final. Due to a count back of matches the 12 girls ended up playing Suffolk in the final, and despite their best efforts the girls lost 3-0 to a strong hard hitting team, who also knew how to use their vocal chords to great effect! Iman, Azra and Imogen were naturally disappointed but throughout the day were supportive of each other and great fun to be around…
Next was the turn of the 10 girls who took on Bucks for 3/4th place. A change of court surface meant the girls were playing on clay which finally gave them all a chance to play on a court where the ball bounced and it was a pleasure to watch how they constructed points. Again Ellie recorded a straight sets victory at 3. Selena lost to a tough opponent at 1 and Natalie’s match see-sawed for three sets and she eventually lost in the 3rd set tie-break to a serve that hit the line and flew onto the next court. On a different day, with some short deuces going our way the girls would have won this match but it was not to be.
But the beauty of the Lionel Cox team event lies in the fact that each player (all 18 of them) help to contribute to the overall team score, match wins are important and so are sets and games won as the final score can often be close. After day 1 Colin and I were expecting that it would be tough to be Herts who had set themselves up nicely, but we knew that 2nd place wasn’t a shoe in so we were delighted when the referee announced that we had secured second place overall….however all the team agreed we need to try and win back the trophy next year!
To finish some thankyou’s
To all of the Essex Teams.
To all parents, families, friends and supporters… thanks for giving up your weekend.
To Pete and Kirk who organised the 9 and under teams.
To Frankie, Matt, Jess and Lewis who helped out with all teams at the weekend.
Team Positions
9 Boys-2nd
9 Girls-4th
10 Boys-6th
10 Girls-4th
12 Boys-3rd
12 Girls-2nd
County Positions
Herts
Essex
Suffolk