The Hampshire & IOW Men’s team was in Division 4 of the Winter County Cup this year, which had changed weekends to 10 – 12 December 2021.
The Team was: Finley Bygrave, James Chaudry, Mats Colling, Dean Cooper Kirby, Aaron Dawson, Ryan Golesworthy, Liam Hignett and Paul Scullard.
Division 4 this year was particularly tough with Cambridgeshire, Nottinghamshire and South Wales all having strong teams.
Day 1 vs South Wales
1. Liam Hignett 2. Ryan Golesworthy
3. Finley Bygrave 4. Aaron Dawson
5. Mats Colling 6. Dean Cooper-Kirby
Doubles:
- Hignett/Golesworthy
- Scullard/Bygrave
- Chaudry/Cooper Kirby
South Wales showed their strength as a team, their no. 6 was a 1.2! They started fast and ran away with an unassailable 5 - 1 lead after singles. We were in all the matches, but they were just a bit too sharp for us to get past, apart from Liam who was excellent winning against their no.1.
The doubles were as tough, with only Liam and Ryan winning at no.1. We ended with a 7 - 2 loss.
Day 2 vs Cambridgeshire
The team was:
1. Liam Hignett 2. Ryan Golesworthy
3. Finley Bygrave 4. Aaron Dawson
5. James Chaudry 6. Dean Cooper-Kirby
Doubles:
- Hignett/Bygrave,
- Scullard/Colling
- Dawson/Cooper Kirby
We needed some sort of result otherwise we were in a dog fight on the last day to be relegated.
We started well with Dean winning at 6 and James a set up, but it slipped away from us finishing 5 - 1 down after singles. Doubles was much better with two great doubles wins, Dean and Aaron winning at 3 and Finley and Liam winning at no.1. We played much better, but Cambridge was just too strong. Great wins for rookie Dean though!
Day 3 vs Nottinghamshire
The team was:
1. Liam Hignett 2. Ryan Golesworthy
3. Finley Bygrave 4. Aaron Dawson
5. James Chaudry 6. Dean Cooper-Kirby
Doubles:
- Hignett/Golesworthy
- Dawson/Cooper Kirby
- Scullard/Chaudry
It was a straight shoot-out, the winner stayed in Division 4 the loser would go down. Notts were obviously much weaker than the other two teams, but still strong.
We got off to a great start with Dean and James winning easily at 5 and 6, Aaron followed with a great win at 4. Finley won the first set but couldn't sustain it and lost in 3, Ryan and Liam had quality matches at 1 and 2, tough battles, and winning them both in 3 sets. Giving us a 5 - 1 win and we stay in Division 4 for next year.
A great team performance with everyone contributing, especially under pressure. The singles on the last day were brilliant.
A special mention to Aaron and Dean who started as rookies, but got up to the level very quickly, and to Liam and Ryan for the superb vital singles wins on the last day, and lastly to Finley for his first win for Hampshire in doubles!
A good weekend in the end!
Julian Godfrey
Men’s County Captain