Congratulations to the 10 & Under Boys AEGON County Cup team who won their qualifying group on 2nd and 3rd June at Bromley Tennis Centre.
The team of Cameron Clarke, Outek Dinapala and Ryan Golesworthy were captained by Ashley Neaves and were up against teams from Dorset, Surrey, Kent, Sussex and Berkshire.
In their box on day one they played Dorset and Surrey. They beat Dorset in convincing fashion winning all their singles matches and the doubles match. They had a tough match in the box with Surrey, losing 3 matches to one, but going through as runners up in the box to day two to play the winners of Box B who were Kent, in the semi finals.
In the Kent match Hampshire & IOW played some great tennis with Ryan and Cameron winning their 2 singles matches and then teaming up to take the doubles match also. This put Hampshire & IOW through to the Final to once again face Surrey, who had beaten Sussex in their semi.
In three tough singles only Ryan managed a win, so Hampshire & IOW had to win the doubles to draw level on points. Having lost the doubles in their box match to Surrey on day one in straight sets, the odds did not seem in Hampshire & IOW’s favour. However, Ryan and Cameron played an amazing doubles match showing a terrific desire to win and took the match 4-1, 5-4 (3). However, that was not to be the end of it!!
Both teams were then level on points at two matches all. So the doubles pairings had to play a 10 point shoot out to decide the Regional Champions. Both Ryan and Cameron showed poise and fighting spirit and some fine doubles play to win an exciting tie break 10-5. Hampshire & IOW were the Champions!
Ashley was inspirational for the boys all weekend and provided great advice and motivation to the team. There was much celebrating of a fantastic team effort and the boys are now looking forward to playing in the County Cup finals with the other 7 regional winners in Bolton in 2 weeks.