Boys team: Theo Purkis, Josh Gordon, Theo Crompton
Girls team: Alicia Hall, Alisha Tejrar, Serena Ihle-Matthews
We started the county event by playing Wiltshire. The boys played first and Theo Purkis and Theo Crompton both won their matches. Despite Josh losing at number 2, the team were off to a great start and were 2-1 up. The girls had some tough matches and all three lost in very close battles. Alisha in particular had to work incredibly hard to win the first set 22-20, and lost in a very close second and the third set tie breaks. This put us 4-2 down after singles but the team were pumped up ready to play doubles. Theo Crompton and Josh played together, Alisha and Serena played together and Theo Purkis and Alicia played mixed doubles. After losing the first two doubles matches, Theo Purkis and Alicia played a brilliant match and gained another win for the team. They worked incredibly well together and listened to advice and tactics. Unfortunately we lost 6-3 to Wiltshire but the team stayed positive ready to play Hampshire.
Josh Crompton and Theo Crompton both lost their singles matches in close sets but both demonstrated some fantastic tennis. Theo Purkis beat the Hamsphire number 1 in straight sets. Alisha played another incredibly close match, losing 10-8 in the first. She continued to fight for every point but the Hampshire number 2 proved too strong. Serena also lost her match. Alicia played brilliantly and won her match in three sets. She really proved herself by listening to advice and changing tactics, which led her to win this match. This put us 4-2 down in the singles. Both Theo’s played a brilliant doubles match, but unfortunately lost in what turned out to be three close sets. Unfortunately the other players lost their doubles.
Our next challenge was against Berkshire. Theo Purkis won his singles match 6-0, 6-0. Josh played a fantastic match but couldn’t quite take the second and third set and was defeated by Berskhire’s number 2. Theo Crompton also lost his singles match. Serena played a really close match which went to three sets, but unfortunately all the girls lost their singles. Theo Purkis and Josh played brilliantly in doubles and the Hampshire boys doubles team could not keep up with them. Theo and Josh won in two sets so this was a great boost for the team. Unfortunately we lost the other two doubles matches.
Our last battle was against South Wales. Theo Cromtpn played fantastically well and won in three sets, Theo Purkis won his confidently but unfortunately Josh lost in three sets, another close defeat. Serena gained another win for Gloucestershire, but Alisha and Alicia couldn’t take the edge in their matches and both lost at singles. At 3-3 the team were incredibly determined to do well at doubles. Theo Crompton and Josh lost their doubles match and Theo Purkis won theirs, again playing incredibly well and communicating brilliantly with each other. We had to win the last double match to beat South Wales. Unfortunately the girls lost their doubles match, meaning we were defeated by South Wales, but only just.
Well done to the team for working hard. It was a long, tiring day and we didn’t finish until 8pm, but the team showed great fight and determination and good support throughout the day. Well done team!