Unfortunately Max and Dom were unable to make the finals due to important commitments. However fortunately for me, they had already built up a strong team spirit which was clearly evident when stepping on court for our first practice.
First up was East Scotland who were according to those in the know (i.e. Anton, Michael and Harvey) would be our toughest opponents. The first rubber was between Anton and Jacob Fearnley, regarded by many as the best 12U player in the UK. Some big serves and forehands from Anton put a lot of pressure on his opponent who was visibly shaken during the first set. However, the young scot showed great maturity to withstand the barrage of powerful ground strokes to take the first set on the tie break. A slightly frustrated Anton then was unable to sustain the quality shown in the first set to then lose the second 4-5, 1-4.
The second rubber was between Michael and Alexander Mikheev. Michael started strong against a nervous opponent and a combination of big forehands and unforced errors from his opponent helped Michael win the first set 4-1. Alexander relaxed in the second and started hitting with greater intensity and incredible consistency. Michael had to fight hard for every point in a second set that looked as though it could go either way. In the end Michael won 4-2, 5-3. The score in the second didn’t really portray the effort required to win each point.
In the third rubber of the day Harvey frustrated his opponent Robbie Croll with an array of well-disguised drop shots, winning 4-2, 4-0 helping Kent to a 2-1 lead. We needed to win the doubles to close out the tie and avoid a doubles play-off.
Anton and Michael were up next in the doubles. Their lack of doubles experience together and confidence at the net was apparent - as they were unsure on how to tactically play this match. In the end they both felt that they had a greater chance of winning if both of them were on the baseline, patiently waiting to pounce on short forehands and follow up to the net. This tactic worked and they won 10-7 in the championship tie-break.
Kent Beat East Scotland 3-1
Next up was the county of Avon. On paper this would be our easiest match however we weren’t taking anything for granted. The Kent team were very good at keeping up their work rate and focus with Anton and Michael winning their singles matches in straight sets. Harvey started off at a fast pace winning the first set in his singles 4-0. His opponent clearly having nothing to lose then went out in the second set attacking everything and every shot he hit went in. Having lost the second set on the tie break, to Harvey's credit he stayed positive and made the 3rd set tie break competitive (losing 10-8), when lesser opponents may have rolled over and lost heart against the incredible change in momentum.
In the doubles Michael and Anton were able to play a more traditional game of doubles that including spending some time at the net winning in the process 4-0, 4-2.
Kent Beat Avon 3-1
On the Sunday South Wales were our opponents. Anton started in a confident mood again dominating many rallies from the baseline against a solid left-hander and winning the first set. His opponent increased the length of his ground strokes in the second set making Anton have to play many more balls than he would have liked. Frustration meant the second set went to South Wales. In the deciding tie break Anton showed great maturity by patiently waiting until the right ball was there to be attacked, winning 10-7.
At number two Michael played another very solid match to win in straight sets. Greater patience from Michael at the end of some gruelling rallies made the difference in a competitive 4-2, 4-1 win. Kent lead 2-0.
Next up was Harvey who put on a very aggressive display by taking the ball early allowing his opponent little time to settle and impose himself, resulting in a 4-2, 4-0 win.
In the doubles Harvey Conway and Martin Thomas played together in their first doubles match of the weekend. Although Martin did not play during the weekend he gave much in the way of support, during every match. Thanks Martin! After a slow start, Martin and Harvey started to communicate better as the match went on; finishing the match playing some good aggressive doubles. A straight sets win meant a 4-0 win over South Wales.
Kent beat South Wales 4-0 – We are in the final!!
The final was against Derbyshire. Once again our players seemed to be in confident mood. In the first match Anton was against Derbyshire's No.1 Bradley Buckland and he got off to a flier, hitting through his forehand and backhand, taking the first set 4-2. However, in the second set his first serve percentage dropped and his opponent, seemingly more relaxed, started becoming more aggressive putting Anton on the back foot to win the second set 4-1. Going into the tie break the momentum was with Bradley. However, I must say that Anton did compose himself enough to make the championship tie break competitive. However, by now his opponent had got the bit between his teeth, winning it 10-7.
Michael planned to begin his next match solidly and to his credit he did. In contrast he found an opponent that was seemingly looking to finish the point as soon as possible. He didn’t miss and Michael found himself a set down before he knew it. What happened next was in my opinion as good as any win he had had over the weekend. He went out and matched his opponent in every department, increasing his pace on the serve, attacking return of serves and hitting ground strokes at a high tempo. Michael fought hard to take it to a tie break before losing it 7-3.
We were now 2-0 down and in my mind now only slight favourites to win the final. Harvey came on and went 2-0 up, before taking his foot off the gas slightly. This allowed his opponent to then impose his game on the match taking the next 4 games and the first set. In the second set Harvey again went up 2-0 playing attacking tennis finishing many points from the mid court with drive volleys. In contrast to the first set Harvey maintained his intensity to take the second set 4-1. In the championship tie break Harvey's brave attacking game helped him secure the match 10-6. Kent 1-2.
We now needed the Anton and Michael to win their doubles to take it to a doubles play-off match. We began by ripping strong forehands at the net player with great success to take the first set 4-1. In the second set the whole game changed as the opponents both moved back to the baseline. This temporarily unsettled us as we weren’t winning cheap points from there volley errors any more, but instead started getting exposed ourselves at the net. At 3-2 down the players decided to stay back as well. This tactic worked well as we showed more discipline in the long rallies that ensued, taking the next three games to win the fourth rubber. 4-1, 5-3. Kent 2-2!
In the deciding play off rubber we knew that our opponents would stay back, so we planned staying back ourselves and to make them play more shots with the odd ball drilled down the middle. The average length of each rally in that deciding doubles was close to fifty shots. However, in the end Anton and Michaels consistency was too good and they won the breaker 10-1. We were champions!!
The positive things I witnessed from the weekend were; Anton’s growing maturity as a player when dealing with the ups and downs that all matches threw upon us, Michael and Harvey's incredibly stubborn ability to never give up and last but certainly not least Martins enthusiastic support towards everyone in the group when they needed it. Thanks to Max and Dom for developing the fantastic team morale in qualification for the finals which certainly made my role easier. Congratulations Boys!
Written by John Shepherd