The Kent mens were stretched to the limit with a lot of notable absentees it was looking like a time of transition with the youth needing to step up a level and some of the older players needing to roll back the years to give us a chance of achieving anything in a very tough group 2.
The line up for the weekend:-
- Sean Thornley
- Robert Searle
- Jim May
- Paddy May
- Andy Burgoyne(c)
- Paul Cook
- Angus McCall
- Paddy Koncielski
Day 1 vs South Wales
Friday saw us pitted against the host County who were looking very strong indeed and we were lining up without talisman Robbie ‘The Pearl’ Searle. It looked a possible win, but would require some key wins. At 5 and 6 we had Paddy K and Paul Cook, both had a difficult start, but Paul dug deep to win in three sets whilst Paddy was outgunned leaving the tie at 1-1. The middle order looked a little older with Paddy May at 3 and Captain Burgs at 4. Paddy struggled to find his form and took a loss, meanwhile Andy fought and fought and refused to leave the court without a win taking it to 2-2. The top order was where it was going to be particularly tough, but with Jim May and Sean Thornley surely we would have a chance? Jim played great tennis, but on this occasion was not good enough and it was a similar story for Sean at 1, leaving us 4-2 down after the singles. Needing to win all three doubles we lined up with Paul ‘Cheffy’ Cook and Angus ‘Goose’ McCall at 3rd pair and the May Brothers at second pair. Our young third pair played well, but not well enough and South Wales took a winning 5-2 lead. The Mays got it done at 2 leaving us at 5-3 as Thornley and Burgoyne at 1 against the unbeaten South Wales first pair and after several hours Kent had matchpoint at 9-8 in the championship tiebreak, but ended up losing it 11-9 leaving the final match score 6-3.
Day 2 vs Lancashire
With a loss on day 1 we really needed a result today to have any chance of promotion or at least a close loss to stave off relegation. With Rob Searle in the line up Captain Burgs dropped himself from the singles line up. The Paddy and Paul show was on again and with the same result, a win for Paul who was slowing becoming a Kent hero with an excellent performance against a near insane opponent who was serving two first serves! Paddy played way better but was out battled in three sets 1-1. The middle order had the unusual twist of having two sets of brothers on both teams, but on this occasion it was not a ‘May Day’ and Lancs took a 3-1 lead. The top order saw Rob and Sean step in to the breach. Rob who had been ill for a couple of weeks struggled to find his usual form and took a loss, but Sean was impressive giving us a slim chance at 2-4. Our Third pair was doubles specialist ‘Goose’ with Paddy May and at second pair was Searle and Burgoyne. Sadly even though they played very well, Goose and May went down in a championship tie break and after a tough tie break first set loss, Rob was forced to retire from the second doubles with injury. Sean and Jim were impressive at 1 leaving us with another 6-3 loss.
Day 3 vs Warwickshire
To remain in group 2 we would need not only to win, but to win at least 6-3 and with Warwickshire so tough at top order we would need to get off to a good start. It was looking good as Paddy was looking on decent form and Kent hero ‘Cheffy’ surely wouldn’t lose! Paul proved to be unbeatable again as his opponent could take no more and retired giving Kent the lead. Meanwhile Paddy K was looking good and served for the match. Sadly, that was where the good news for Paddy ended and an hour later it was 1-1. Paddy May started like a train and smashed through the first set with blistering tennis, and he continued in to the second set serving for the match at 5-4. Curse of the Paddy’s and it ended up with another rubber for Warwickshire. Jim May played great tennis to get us back to 2-2 with a master class at 3 leaving Rob and Sean to battle it out at 1 and 2. Basically we were outplayed and ended up 4-2 down again going in to the doubles. Playing only for pride, the new third pair of Goose and Captain Burgs hit the court and won a close match to bring us to 4-3. Rob and Paddy were having a great match at second pair when there were enough results in to make the event complete and play was stopped leaving the result 4-3 Warwickshire.
Overall it was a very disappointing weekend in an exceptionally tough group. The players battled hard, but with other Counties getting out full or near full sides and us being unable to do so on this occasion was telling. For the first time in many years the mens team hit the lows of group 3 for the 2013 event. Hopefully our young talent will develop further and perhaps we will be more fortunate with the availability of our top end. However as usual, the fight was there and the effort was high albeit in vain on this occasion.
Captain Andy ‘Armchair’ Burgoyne