After two years in the top flight as runners up the Kent boys were hoping for a shot at the National title in 2012, but on paper all the opposition teams were stronger and we would require a great deal of self belief and top end performances throughout the team if we were to match up to such lofty dreams.
The Line Up:-
- Lewis ‘Mandela’ Whiteley
- Tom ‘The Nose’ Jarvis
- Paul ‘Baby Chef’ Cook
- Paddy ‘Polish Sausage’ Koscielski
- Angus ‘Slow Patrol’ McCall
- Henry ‘Birthday Boy’ Whyte
- Sam ‘T Bone’ Taylor
- Niall ‘Ladies Man’ Stewart
Day 1 vs Yorkshire
The atmosphere was electric as Henry Whyte was making his singles debut on his 18th birthday at 6 and at 5 another County Cup debut for the Slow Patrol that is Angus McCall. Birthday boy was on fire and saw off his Yorkshire opponent with some exceptional serve and volley tennis to give us the lead. Meanwhile Angus couldn’t find his range and went down to leave us level after the first round of matches. To the middle order, P.A.D.D.Y enters the fray to songs of Polish sausage and Baby Chef on the next court looking hotter than a summer BBQ ready to cook up a storm. Half way through it looked good for Kent, but in a game of 2 halves we were 3-1 down and looking up against it. With our hopes pinned on Jarvis and Whiteley the Kent Massive looked on in strong voice, needing at least one win to take it to the doubles. Both matches went the distance and while Whiteley faded Tom dug in his heels and took the win to put us 4-2 with the doubles to play. Paul and Angus teamed up at third pair and after a first set wobble played a great match to make it 3-4 with all to play for. Paddy and Whiteley at 1 were battling and Birthday boy and Jarvis were looking strong, could we do it?? Sadly, on this occasion it was a close no, and we ended the day 3-6 and needing to win on Saturday to have any chance in the division.
Day 2 vs Lancashire
Captains Burgoyne and Filmer thought long and hard about whether to change the team for day 2, but kept faith in yesterday’s line up to get the job done. After round 1 it seemed that that decision had not paid off with both Henry Whyte and the ‘Slow Patrol’ crumbling to strong opponents in just over an hour. The middle order started well with two great displays of quality tennis especially from Paddy who seemed to have found his best form just in time. Paddy slipped and Paul got tired and although they didn’t go down without a fight, they did go down and we were 4-0 by lunchtime. Can Jarvis and Whiteley buck the trend and get a win. Whiteley would have to beat world no.3 Liam Broady and Jarvis would have to overcome a 6ft 6 big hitting opponent! A step too far and for the boys and we were 6-0 and certainly relegated to group 2! Although we ended up winning 2 of the three doubles, with a Debut win for Sammie T, the day was done, 7-2 Lancs.
Day 3 vs Middlesex
With nothing but pride to play for the boys set about the day in a competitive manner with Sammie at 6 trying to prove a point to the Captains for not selecting him on days one and two, and point taken with a great first set performance. Meanwhile Henry goes down with an injury in straight sets and unfortunately Sam couldn’t keep it up and we went 2-0 down. They day continued with 2 more losses at 3 and 4, but Tom Jarvis got a consolation goal for the team at 2. Whiteley played his best match of the week at 1, but still came up short and the day ended with a 5-1 win for Middlesex.
Overall we were simply not strong enough for division one this year and although we could have perhaps done better, we couldn’t argue with the final result. We say a fond farewell to Lewis Whiteley who played 4 under 18 events, 2 as our number 1. We also lose Tom Jarvis who has fought tooth and nail in every match he has played for Kent. Henry Whyte will also be too old for next year’s event and although it was his Debut this year thoroughly deserved his place in the line up and was exceptional in the doubles and played a fantastic singles on his debut.
It’s always disappointing to be relegated, but I’m sure the Kent spirit will run strong through the boys and have them fighting for a return to the ‘big time’ next year.
Captain Andy ‘Mr Incredible’ Burgoyne
And
Captain Alastair ‘Bogeyman’ Filmer