Kent Ladies Division 1 Bath
Team:
Holly Richards
Mari Takino
Jacqueline Darby
Nicole Daisley
Kate Green
Francesca Faulkes
Ellie Murphy
Rebecca Finch
Sophia Thomas
Anouska Newman
We set off for Bath on Thursday ready to practice when we arrived. Everyone feeling pretty nervous as it was for most of us, our first time in Division 1! We were well aware that on paper we were not the strongest team, and not having a few of our strongest players with us this year, it was going to be tough. But were up for a fight as always and were hoping to stay in division 1!
Friday: Kent V Yorkshire
We knew Yorskshire was going to be pretty tough to beat but tried to get as many rubbers as possible. We started with our no. 6 Sophia Thomas, and no.5 Anouska Newman. Sophia has never played Ladies County Cup so was quite nervous. However she got off to a great start playing some great tennis, but lost 4 and 3, a great performance and great first match for her in ladies county cup. Anouska had not played matches in a while due to injury, but battled it out and won in 3 sets 6-3 in the third. 1 all…not looking bad! Up next Jacqueline and Rebecca, both facing very good opponents. Both girls tried their best but lost in straight sets. 3-1 Yorskshire. Myself and Kate took to the court. Having not played a match in a year I was very nervous, playing a girl I had never beaten before, I lost 3 and 4. Kate, who has been away from competitive tennis for a while, and county cup, looked like a pro! Taking down Yorkshires no2 in straight sets! At 2-4 down, winning all 3 doubles was a lot to ask, but we tried! Nicole and Anouska lost closely, and Jacqueline and Rebecca didn’t get a look in, losing 0 and 2. Kate and I fought hard, but couldn’t get the win and lost in 3 sets. A tough day for us, losing 7-2.
Saturday: Kent V Hertfordshire
Today should be our toughest day….and it was! With Hertfordshire Ladies winning the event countless times The team the same as Friday, Anouska and Sophia were on first. Both girls played hard, and lost respectably in straight sets. Rebecca and Jacqueline next, both were nervous and aware of how tough the matches were, and couldn’t compete with the level of Hertfordshire, lost in straight sets. 4-0 down, myself and Kate were hoping to give Kent something to cheer about!...Not playing well I lost 3 and 2, and left Kate on court battling away in a third set with Amanda Elliot. Kate had done well getting to a third and we were all supporting loudly! Kate lost 6-2 in the third, but a great effort. At 5-0 down we had already lost, but trying to keep some pride we needed a few rubbers in the doubles! Nicole and Anouska were playing well but Hertfordshire were too strong and they lost 3 and 3. Jacqueline and Rebecca also lost. Myself and Kate were determined to win this one, trying to save us from the dreaded bagel, we won 10-7 in the third set tiebreak and played really well. 8-1 to Hertfordshire.
Sunday: Kent V Warwickshire
We were already being demoted back to division 2, but we wanted to go down in style! (coming 3rd not 4th!) So with some Kent spirit we showed Warickshire we wanted a win! At no 6 today was Anouska who steamed to a 6-0 6-0 win. Mari played today at no.5 and played some good tennis got another win on the board for us! 2-0 to us. Feeling confident now Rebecca and Jacqueline were up next, Jacqueline playing very tough opponents all week, lost in straight sets. Rebecca, not playing well also lost 5-7 4-6 but fought very hard and almost turned it around. Uh oh… 2 all now! Kate and I were ready, and having both not competed for a while were feeling it today! I lost again 3 and 2, but yet again Kate was toughing out a third set and got Kent a win 6-4 in the third! With it at 3 all and 3 doubles to play, we knew we had a good chance to get 2 out of the 3. Anouska and Nicole had been playing well all weekend, and their time came to take a win, 3 and 0! Jacqueline and Rebecca wanted a win desperately, but it wasn’t to be and lost 2 and 4. Kate and I lost the first set 6-3 but felt confident we could turn it around. We took the second set 6-3 and into a match tiebreak we were once again. Both pumped and determined to not leave the court without the win…that we did 10-6 in the third!
After a tough weekend we were happy with 3rd place, and deserved the win on the Sunday showing a fighting spirit and determination. Well done to all the girls getting to Division 1 and lets hope next year we can get back there!
Holly Richards