Captain Mike Crooks reports.......
H&W Senior County Cup team, or more affectionately known as TEAM DOGG took to the courts of Fenners Park, Cambridge to battle it out in Division 5.
There was something different in the air with Team Dogg. Perhaps it was that everyone had been playing and practising or maybe that the team had been looking forward to this event for a few months and it was finally here.
Looking down the courts on the first day it looked tough. Checking out the other teams while they practise is normally a fatal mistake, as everyone looks good in the warm up. The team faced Durham and Cleveland first and on paper we were Team under Dogg. Well, a 6-3 victory later and the team were riding high, clocking up a second year running win on the first day.
Day 2 revealed a down-and-out Bedfordshire team and H&W romped to a 9-0 win.
Day 3 vs Cornwall is most memorable as Jamie Marks played at levels that cannot be described with the rest of the team got stuck in, to put us within a few points of victory and looking at possible promotion. It wasn't to be and the Doggs left that day with a 5-4 loss.
Day 4 presented Somerset, the leaders of the group and the final winners. This was another interesting scenario as 5-1 down left Team Dogg looking for rubbers and an opportunity to perhaps sneak a 2-1 last round. Charlie Crisp stepped in to pick up one of them and the formidable partnership of little and large (Allen Benbow and Rich Tuck) clinching the all important third for the Doggs.
So H&W were still in the hunt for promotion with Lincolnshire standing in the way. A big ask but none the less the Doggs went out barking and snapping. It wasn't to be but never the less a valiant effort all week from the team.
We remain in Division 5 but there was an air of improvement and a belief that we will break out of Div 5 and into Div 4 very soon!
This year we seemed to get pairings right with the bangers of Tom Rees and Jack GB making huge strides in the team and Tom becoming a senior and influential part of the team. Benbow was his usual flamboyant-like self, arguably improving over time like a fine French wine and his partner Rich Tuck providing the solid foundations. Jamie Marks has to be player of the week, nudging his way through some top players and commanding the court at the tender age of 17. Jamie played like he belonged and in my opinion was one of the top players in the division, of course only slightly behind his captain ;). Charlie Crisp, ever the team player was on hand to step in to the team and did so on a few occasions. A new experience for Mike Langston being around the atmosphere and level which will hopefully inspire him to be a future Dogg.
We must not forget the support provided by Mr and Mrs King who make every effort to be at the event each year. We really appreciate it!
Team Dogg will now look forward to the winter event and will be holding practices for selected players. If you think you have a player or are a player that can compete at the highest levels of domestic tennis then I want to hear from you. mike@gameseducation.co.uk
Woof!
Mike Crooks
A local supporter would like to add......
A special mention needs to go to the Captain, Mike who kept a great team spirit going and inspires the players to play at the level they did. His enthusiastic, determined but calm approach on and off the court was an excellent example to all the players and his level of play winning 11 out of his 14 rubbers was crucial to the team.