By Ben Abbott & James Oni
Captain – Alistair Filmer
Assistant Captain – Nick Cavaday
Squad:
Ben Abbott
Paul Cook (Chef)
Patryk Koscielski (Paddy)
Angus McCaul (Goose)
James Oni
Niall Stewart
Isaac Stoute
Shunta Takino
Sam Taylor (Sammy T)
Thomas Wright (T-Wright)
There was a good atmosphere straight away during the warm up. All the boys were getting fired up, whilst Filmer blared out 'candy shop' on his wireless BOSE speakers. Everyone has prepared well, and after an inspirational Filmer team talk we were pumped and ready to support Tom Wright in his debut and Paddy playing at 6 and 5. COME ON THE GARDEN!!!!
Day 1
Tom Wright's up first took an early lead after a tight first few games. Tom carried on this high level performance to close out the set 6-4. With increased confidence, the second set was all in T-Wright's favour DOMINATING the majority of long rallies! By the near end of the match his opponent (Logan Burgess-Hayes) was looking defeated with no answer to Tom's flair and superior tennis with Tom taking the second 6-1!
Paddy's match involved a lot of volume and support from the boys and coaches with the first set not going in Kent's way (1-6) as paddy was not utilising his aggressive game style and played too passively for his consistent opponent (Joshua Southern). Filmer went on court with some wise words of wisdom telling Pad to do what he does best and rip that forehand which led to turning around the match as he went on to wipe his opponent off the court and take the set 6-1. He kept this up in the third with a bit more fight from his opponent but managed to take victory 6-3 getting PUMPED to give kent a 2-0 lead over Sussex. ALLEZ KENT!
Goose struggling with injury lost an encounter with Pete Molloy
Sammy T showed positive energy throughout the match taking the win against Dan Little comfortably 6-3 6-1 putting Kent 3-1 up in rubbers.
Isaac lost in a tight second set to Ben Stride 6-1 7-5
Paul fought hard to come through on top in an intense 3 set battle against Sam Rice winning the first set and losing a tight second which led to some noise from the Sussex team crowd which only pumped Kent on more helping chef to close out the final set 6-4
We lead 4-2 after singles so doubles was still all to play for and after losing the first of the doubles the gap got closer. It was down to the GIANTS of Niall Stewart and James Oni to clinch the tie over Sussex winning 6-4 7-6 in a tense dramatic showdown.
Day 2
The electric atmosphere continued as the team were set for another day in the office. The team were pumped from the get go as Shunta Takino and Tom Wright were first to bat at 5 and 6.
Tom Wright's all lotto look and David Ferrer like movement showed as he raced to a 4-1 lead. His persistence prevailed as he won the set 6-3. T-Wright then cruised through the second set in style winning 6-1. Shunta Takino was no different as he also took a 4-1 lead in the first set eventually winning the set 6-2. In the second set, Shunta had the upper the hand in most of the rallies winning the set 6-1 and putting Kent 2-0 up. ALLEZ KENT!
Paddy was next up, carrying the momentum from the previous matches as he showed intense resistance giving back double what his opponent was throwing at him racing to a 6-2 lead. However, a comeback was unfolding as his opponent started to make a match, in doing so winning the second set 6-4. Paddy wasn't going to lay down as he turned on the heat with some classy forehands to win 6-2 4-6 6-2. Sam Taylor was no exception to our great form as he also cruised through his match 6-2 6-2. His heavy topspin forehand and sweet one handed backhand saw him outclass his opponent and finished with a superb backhand angle volley. Kent 4-0 up.......OH YEAH!
Paul Cook was up against a tough John Boden. The early exchanges were tough, both breaking early in the first few games, but Chef used his head in tricky situations to come through 6-3. In the second set, his class was evident when he started to dismantle his opponent's strengths and came through in straights.
Isaac Stoute played valiantly with lots of determination but lost in a closely fought match.
It was now time for the doubles and it was Tom and Niall that got our first doubles point with a cruise victory. Niall big serving and Tom's touch made it a routine victory. Sam and Paddy continued the flow with a 6-2 6-1 victory. Last on were Ben and Angus who played their hearts out but lost to a great doubles pair.
Kent winning 7-2.....COME ON THE GARDEN!
Day 3
Super Sunday. The final day of county cup is a first place shoot off between Kent and Warwickshire and what a way to start off the day with the forfeits from yesterday's game. With Goose's creative hair style crafted by the captains and Shunta's singing solo awaiting, it was the perfect way to get the team ready for a shoot off.
Tom Wright our solid number 6 had a showdown with his age compatriot Luke Hammond. The first set was filled with some quality tennis. Both Tom and Luke were neck and neck until Tom came up with two brilliant passing shots to take the opening set 6-4. With Tom's increasing confidence, he raced to a 4-1 lead in the second and never looked back as he took the first rubber for Kent 6-4 6-2. Come on Kent!
Next up was Shunta Takino. He played his heart out but his rapid footwork and steady shots sadly wasn't enough as he lost in a close encounter.
Paddy got the Kent team back to winning ways with a 6-3 6-0 victory. The polish maestro clearly outclassed his opponent with some devastating forehands and great precision to come through in straights. First bagel for the team. Sam Taylor was up against the crafty Mason Recci. It was set to be a thriller from the very start. Mason started quicker. He imposed his game and ran away with the first set. Sam stayed focus in tricky situations and took the second set. Sam used this momentum in tight situations to take the match 7-5 in the third. 3-1 Kent!
Paul Cook was next to the crease. Paul showed loads of variety in the first set and closed off the set with a sweet serve and volley. The match swung however when he lost the second 6-4 but he stayed true to his game plan and won in a breath taking third set! 4-1 Kent? OH YEEAH!
Isaac Stoute was involved in a three set thriller but sadly lost 6-2 in the third. Tom and Niall also lost in a hard fought match and Sam and Paddy lost in a nail biting match. Kent 4......Warwickshire 4.
Paul and Angus were the last match of the campaign. It was make or break for the Kent county team. The match was the most fired up match probably in the history of county cup. Both camps were screaming their heads off as the match was unfolding. The boys made a heroic effort from a set and nearly break down to come back 7-6. The atmosphere was electric! Everyone was pumped beyond belief. Shunta's Mexican wrestler like roar, Paddy and Tom Jarv's banter and James and T- wright exploding with fire was a experience rarely seen. Niall and Ben embracing the pumped environment and Filmer and Cavaday conducting the vibe along with Sammy T. Sadly Kent lost 10-7 in the championship tiebreak and lost 5-4 overall. Chef and Goose played their hearts out and should be proud!
Next year, division 2a! COME ON THE GARDEN! COME ON KENT...........AOOOGA!