COUNTY CUP REPORT KENT GIRLS U18s FEBRUARY 26TH-28TH 2016
VENUE: BROMLEY TENNIS CENTRE
CAPTAIN: PIPPA LANE
ASSISTANT: HOLLY RICHARDS
TEAM: FLO ABBOTT, NELL MILLER, OLIVIA PARSON, MIA SMITH, NATASHA MUNDAY, SASHA HILL, ELLEN CRAMER-TODD, GABBY CHIDWICK, DAPHNE PRATT & ALICE GILLAN.
FRIDAY 26TH FEB: VERSUS HERTS
Due to the unavailability of several players Ellen and Daphne were called into the singles line up. Nerves got to Ellen on her debut and she lost at No. 6 1&0. Daphne performed well after a shaky start but lost in three to Moen. Tash and Livi took to the courts next both playing very well winning in straight sets. Alice had a comfortable win at No. 2 taking down Georgie Walker in straight sets which put Kent in the lead 3-2. Flo competed well at No.1 but was up against the highly ranked and experienced Emily Arbuthnott; a loss for Flo meant it was even heading into the doubles.
Livi and Daphne split sets at No.3 doubles but won the tiebreak taking 10 points in a row. Flo and Tash lost at No.1 doubles, a little outclassed by Arbuthnott and Spink. It all came down to the final doubles and Gabby and Alice couldn’t quite pull it out.
Kent 4 Herts 5
SATURDAY 27TH FEB: VERSUS STAFFS
Thankfully we had three players return to the team today which strengthened the line-up no end. Tash and Livi went on court first both winning easily in straight sets. Mia lost a tight match at No.3 but Sasha made up for it by getting a big win against Mae McCutchen at No.3, putting Kent in the lead 3-1. Alice had a tough encounter at No.2 and after losing the first set in a breaker couldn’t turn it around. Nell played a great match at No.1 competing unbelievably well to beat Ellie Rose Griffiths in two sets. Kent 4 Staffs 2 after singles play.
Gabby and Tash took to the court at No.3 doubles and were far too strong for their opponents winning very comfortably and sealing the win for Kent. Nell and Mia played a strong doubles at No.1 pairing taking Kent to 6-2. Unfortunately Alice and Livi couldn’t quite get it together at second doubles so the final score Kent 6 Staffs 3.
SUNDAY 28TH FEB: VERSUS SUSSEX
Today was all to play for, Kent had to win and we needed Herts to lose! Kent girls knew they could only control their own result so all players went out fighting. Daphne was struck down with nerves and struggled at No.6 but Tash put Kent on the board at No.5 although feeling under the weather. Livi played great at No.4 putting Kent ahead and Mia backed it up winning at No.3. Alice and Nell both performed and competed far better than their opponents and took Kent to an unbeatable 5-1 lead.
Still aware the overall winner could come down to rubbers the girls took to the courts fighting. Gabby and Tash had too much class at No.3 pairing, winning comfortably. Nell and Mia cleaned up with very aggressive net play in the No.1 spot. Alice and Livi went to three sets but played a great breaker meaning Kent 8 Sussex 1.
The Kent girls couldn’t have performed any better, it was a shame we didn’t have the full team on Friday as that really made the difference between us coming second as opposed to gaining promotion. Hopefully next year the players will see County Cup as a priority on their schedules.
Thank you to Holly for being a great assistant over the weekend and thank you to all the parents and friends who came and supported.
Pippa Lane ( Captain )