TEAM: MARI TAKINO, DEVAN MCCLUSKEY, NICOLE DAISLEY, REBECCA FINCH, ANOUSKA NEWMAN, FRANCESCA FAULKES, GABY PAUL & ELLIE MURPHY
CAPTAIN: PIPPA LANE-DANCE
ASSISTANT: HOLLY RICHARDS
VENUE: REDBRIDGE, ESSEX (GROUP 2B)
DAY 1 VERSUS BUCKS
The girls were so excited and so ready for this year’s event I was sure of a great weekend. On first were Anouska and Ellie. Anouska struggled with her serve but remained a hard worker to win 6 & 4. Ellie didn’t find her usual form and struggled at #5, losing in straights. Rebecca played fantastic at #4 beating Tor Pisani 6-1 7-6. Nicole played well at #3 but couldn’t quite find enough to win so after four matches we were all square at 2-2.
Devan went out at #2 against Hollie Davies and played amazingly well winning in straight sets to nudge Kent into the lead 3-2. Mari at #1 was up against Laura Deigman a WTA ranked player and the difference showed leaving Kent and Bucks at 3-3 after the singles.
All to play for in doubles, Gaby & Nicole started Kent off at #3, losing the first set but coming back to win the second. The tie break was just full of unforced errors and the girls were edged out 10-3. #2 doubles started a little shaky. Devan & Becs soon settled down though and after dropping the first set took control of the second and went on to win the third set breaker. Once again Kent & Bucks were all square at 4-4.
Mari & Frankie were our final pairing at #1 and played some fantastic tennis but couldn’t quite find enough to win. Kent ended up losing 5-4 to Bucks but there were plenty of positives and all we could do was try and prepare for the next match against Warwickshire.
DAY 2 VERSUS WARWICKSHIRE
The girls knew it would be a tough day as Warwickshire beat North of Scotland on day one. The girls were prepared, so out went Gaby at #6 and Ellie at #5. Both girls played some very good tennis, Gaby’s serving was destroying her opponent and Ellie was returning well. Both girls won in straight sets to put Kent ahead 2-0.
Rebecca hit the court totally on fire and beat Ellie Hanna 0&2. Nicole had a struggle at #3 but came through a three set battle in style winning 6-3 in the third. Unfortunately Devan at #2 came across Emily Smith in a purple patch and lost in three. Mari at #1 put up a fight but couldn’t do quite enough to beat Holly Reid.
So going into the doubles we were 4-2 up and looking good. Our form continued as Gaby & Nicole won at #3 1&0, quickly followed by Becs and Devan at #2 winning 3&3. Mari and Ellie almost made a clean sweep of the doubles but unfortunately lost in the third set tie breaker.
Kent took the day with a 6-3 win.
DAY 3 VERSUS NORTH OF SCOTLAND
What a fantastic group of girls Kent have, all supporting each other and having fun at the same time. The first three matches of the day were won quickly by Gaby, Ellie and Rebecca putting Kent 3-0 up within hours of starting. Nicole was showing signs of stiffness but tried her hardest at #3 losing in two close sets. Devan played well at #2 winning comfortably and playing some brilliant tennis. Mari almost came through her final singles match for the girls 18s but eventually lost 4&4.
So after the singles were complete Kent were winning 4-2, only one more win needed to take the tie. Nicole & Gaby played so well yesterday I wondered if they could perform at that level again. I needn’t have worried they performed very well winning 0&1 and sealing the win for Kent 5-2. Scotland conceded the final two doubles so the final score was 7-2 Kent.
We had worked out that for Kent to win group 2 we needed to win by a margin of 6-3 or better, which we did and we needed Warwickshire to beat Bucks. It didn’t quite work out as after singles Bucks led 4-2 and went onto win the #3 doubles to clinch the title over Kent.
Runners up position for Kent girls was where we finished but we all had a really good time and I’m looking forward to the challenge in 2013.
A big thank you goes to all the players who were representing the county with class. Also a big thank you to our loyal supporters and to Holly assisting.
Great effort girls, let’s work hard for the title next year.
Pippa Lane (Captain)