Team – Chandani Sundaram, Alice Howitt, Suzie Carter & Rebecca Greenough
Gloucestershire’s team for the county cup Group E matches on the 31st May and 1st June showed great depth from the players involved; Chandani Sundaram, Alice Howitt, Suzie Carter and Rebecca Greenough. The event was held at Salisbury with our first match against a tough Cornwall team in the first round of Day 1.
Day 1 – Cornwall (6-2 Cornwall)
Suzie Carter playing number 3 started the team on the front foot with a great display of determination and focus to get the team off to a winning start defeating Harriet Bradley 4-0 4-0. Alice Howitt and Chandani Sundaram took to the court at the same time, both facing tough opposition. Chandani after battling and playing aggressive tennis lost to Daisy Chapman 4-0 4-0, yet the scoreline did not reflect the standard of play. With stunning weather on the opening day, Alice Howitt displayed her fighting character on court in the number two singles. After three tiebreaks, Cornwalls number two Holly Drew emerged victorious 4-5 (1-7) 5-4 (8-6) 1-0 (10-1). With team support Alice showed her potential, with confidence growing across the weekend. The doubles match saw Chandani and Alice team-up against Cornwall’s number 1 & 2 with Cornwall winning 4-1 4-0. The Gloucester girls showed their intent with great ability and volleys at the net.
Day 1 – Wiltshire (8-0 Gloucestershire)
Round 2 began just after midday with a short break to watch the next opposition, Wiltshire as they battled against Cornwall. With confidence the girls displayed great character, focus and tactical awareness to emerge victorious in all three singles:
Singles 1. Chandani Sundaram defeating Beatrice Watts – 4-0 4-0
Singles 2. Alice Howitt defeating Holly Bryan – 4-1 4-0
Singles 3. Suzie Carter defeating Hannah Cole – 4-1 4-2
With the match already won, Suzie Carter and Rebecca Greenough took to the court playing doubles against Hannah Cole and Abby Rucker. With confidence from the baseline and net play, Gloucester won 5-3 4-0.
Day 2 – Semi Finals: Somerset (6-2 Somerset)
The girls arrived early at the venue to prepare with a thorough warm up and opportunity to talk tactics. Chandani Sundaram faced tough opposition in Tresha Kumar with Tresha winning 4-1 4-2. Singles 2 & 3 were closely matched players, with Alice winning at two 5-3 4-1 against Ellen Burrow, showing clinical building and finishing qualities. Suzie Carter playing three showed true grit and determination in her 4-1 4-1 loss to Thea Sprawson. With most games finishing on a killer deuce the score line did not reflect the match’s quality and Suzie’s court awareness including chasing every ball. The doubles match was an opportunity to tie the draw, however Chandani and Suzie faced stern opposition in Tresha Kumar and Rebecca Stowell with a close first set to Gloucester 5-3 Alice and Chandani showed great racket control and readiness on their volleys. However a lapse in concentration allowed Somerset back into the match winning the following set 4-0 and the championship tiebreak 10-5.
Day 2 – 3rd/4th Place: Avon (Gloucestershire 4-4 (Winning Tiebreak Shoot-out)
The final match of the weekend saw a balanced Avon team play Gloucestershire. Amy Leather winning at one against Chandani Sundaram 4-2 4-0. With Chandani facing tough opposition all weekend, her battling and mental strength really shone through. Alice Howitt brimming with confidence defeated Jessie Sanzo 4-1 4-0 with a great display of tennis commanding points and finishing clinically. Suzie Carter then put in a great performance at three defeating Giuliani Cimmino 4-2 4-1. With all singles completed Gloucestershire were in the commanding seat for the tie. The doubles saw Chandani and Alice complete the final match, which after falling with a battling first set 4-5 (4-10), Amy Leather and Jessie Sanzo cruised the second set with conviction 4-0. Deciding the tie would be a match shoot-out. The captain deciding to switch the balance in the team to change the rhythm of the match opted in the pairing Alice Howitt and Suzie Carter to face Amy Leather and Jessie Sanzo in the 10 point battle. After a fantastic start by the Gloucestershire girls, Avon showed their determination on numerous occasions. Gloucestershire had five chances to tie up the match, and at 12-11 final broke down the solid Avon defence to emerge successful in obtain 3rd position form the weekend. With the tie break summing up the spirit within the Gloucestershire team.
As Captain it was a pleasure to work with such focused, and committed individuals and I would like to take the time to thank them for all their hard work and team spirit shown throughout the event. I hope this opportunity spurs them on to play more tennis, to continue to improve and of course be involved in future County Cups. I would also like to thank all the support from the parents across the weekend for travel and support which without that, would not have made the atmosphere in which the girls flourished.
Jason Poole.