Venue: Bromley Tennis Centre
Day 1
Kent had a fantastic draw and were drawn against Sussex for their first round match. With a solid team of Rory Grant, keean De Villiers, Adam Walker and Alex De Sousa, Kent were looking for a promising start to their 2014 County Cup campaign. Within very quick succession, the Kent team took the initiative immediately and took the lead in all three singles rubbers. Rory was far too solid for his opponent from the back as well as Keean and Adam and within record time, all three boys had taken the first set in their respective matches. The second sets went exactly as the first with all three boys taking control and easily cruised to their first wins of the day. Kent were three rubbers up and a win against Sussex.
Kent had to play the Channel Islands for their second and final round of the day. Once again, Kent were the clear favourites and again did not disappoint. Rory out classed Sam Baldwin in very quick fashion and showed his ability to move the ball the ball around and dictate play. Keean played an inexperienced Alexander Vye but none the less, Keean displayed a controlled and business like attitude and took a straight sets win. Alex was up next playing at number three for this match and showed why he was part of the Kent team. From the start, Alex showed a positive attitude and some clever tennis and won in record time. Kent were three rubbers up and another match win for the day.
Day 2
After a comfortable first day, spirits were high and so was the boy’s confidence going in to the semi-final match against Hampshire Isle of Wight. Rory played an inform Ryan Golesworthy and we were ready for a tough match. The first game started tightly with both players winning a couple of points each but as the game and set went on, Rory struggled with answers and lost self-belief and soon lost the set. The second set started the same way as the first as Rory couldn’t find his way into the match and lost the second set and the match.
Keean was up against Outek Dinapala which was always going to be a tight game if Keean’s tactics were right. Keean started well and went two games all with Outek slapping his forehand and backhand down the line. Keean started to stray from his tactics of short angles and drop shots and ended up going toe to toe with his opponent but could not keep up with the big hitting from Outek and lost the set.
After a good talk, Keean was clear on his goals for the second set but struggled to combine his tactics and eventually lost the match. It was a good display of attitude and work rate and I am sure Keean would have learned from this ready for their next meeting.
Adam was up against Cameron Clarke and again Kent thought it was a much needed winnable match. Adam started well in the first game but as soon as Cameron put up a fight, Adams self-belief started to fade and found himself in a hole and a set down. With the Kent team in support, Adam tried to raise his game and tempo to get back in the match but it was too little too late as Cameron took the second set and the match.
Kent were out of the County Cup for 2014 but had a play-off against Sussex for third place which Kent won after a great comeback from Rory and Adam after being down in the opening sets. Alex De Sousa played a great match and overpowered his opponent comfortably from the start.
It was a sound third position for Kent this year, but I truly believe that we had a team that should have won the tournament. With a little more self-belief and discipline the result could have been different.
Well done to all team members and parents and to Dominic Cobby who has helped with my decisions over the weekend once again.
Max Robinson
County Cup Captain