CAPTAIN: PIPPA LANE
ASSISTANT: HOLLY RICHARDS
TEAM: FLO ABBOTT, ALICE GILLAN, RACHEL LE COMBER, NELL MILLER, MIA SMITH, OLIVIA PARSON, SOPHIA THOMAS AND SARAH WRAY.
VENUE: WELWYN, HERTS – GROUP 2B
WOULD KENT CONTINUE WITH THE FIVE YEAR RUNNERS-UP CURSE?
Practice sessions were complete and the team were on the road to Welwyn. After an early start Friday morning Kent girls were on the practice courts by 8am. Everyone looked and felt ready for play and my message to the girls was that we practice as a team, we play as a team and win or lose we do it as a team.
DAY 1 v Essex
First on court were our 5 & 6 positions of Nell and Sarah. Sarah played a steady match and was too consistent for her opponent. The match was quick Sarah winning 6-0 6-0. Nell took the first set comfortably and then her opponent started playing a stronger, more positive game. Thankfully Nell was able to stay under control and took the match 6-1 6-4.
The follow on matches at 3 & 4 featured Flo and Rachel. Rachel played great tennis completely out playing and out hitting her opponent 6-1 6-2. Flo had a little struggle with nerves dropping the first set. She came back fighting to take the second but couldn’t quite find enough consistency and lost 4-6 6-0 4-6.
The final singles matches were Olivia in position two and Soph at one. LIvi settled down quickly and played some really good tennis and fought hard to win 6-4 6-0. Soph had a comfortable match and was always in control, winning 6-3 6-3.
The singles matches alone meant Kent girls had taken the first day by winning five out of six matches.
The doubles pairings took to the courts. At three were Mia and Sarah who were a different class to the opposition. The match was short and sweet with our pair too strong around the net, winning 6-0 6-2. The second pairing of Flo and Alice really didn’t find their feet and lost 0-6 4-6. Rachel and Soph had a real challenge in the number one spot but played well and pulled out a win in a third set tie break.
A great start to the event by Kent winning on the first day 7-2.
DAY 2 v Notts.
First up playing at 5 & 6 were Nell and Mia. Mia hit the ball far too strongly for her opponent to even have a chance and took the match in under an hour 6-1 6-1. Nell was far more relaxed and able to perform in her match, playing some really good points to win 6-1 6-2.
At position four Rachel took to the court, a very focused and mature performance saw her win comfortably 6-1 6-4. Flo took to the court at number three and played a very tough opponent. The match started a little slow for Flo as she lost the first set. Thankfully with a lot of encouragement she fought back and won in three, 3-6 7-5 6-4.
Livi and Sop took to the court at positions two and one. Livi had to fight hard and run lots which she did very well to win 6-1 2-6 6-2. Soph had a very tough match which she won in two sets but every point was extremely intense. Soph won 6-4 7-5.
Once again we had taken the win after singles but the girls knew to stay focused through the doubles and win as many rubbers as possible.
Nell and Mia took the third pairing with ease 6-1 6-3. Flo and Sarah took their match also with ease at number two. Unfortunately Kent couldn’t quite keep the clean sheet losing the number one doubles in a final set tie break.
Another great team performance with the girls winning 8-1.
DAY 3 v Bucks
So as we began the final day against Bucks all the girls were aware of THE KENT CURSE, otherwise known as runners-up for five straight years. During our team chat all the girls agreed to stay focused as a team and look to take the win so no other combinations would matter. Of course Holly and I knew as always anything can happen on the day.
So out first were Mia and Nell. Nell at five took her match without any problems 6-0 6-3. Mia on the other hand showed signs of lack of match practice. Thankfully after losing the first set she got back on track, begun attacking and took the match 5-7 6-0 6-3.
Rachel became our reliable match winner in position four and once again produced a solid performance to win 6-3 6-0. Flo struggled at three but kept fighting only to lose a tight match in three. LIvi at position two played another solid match to win in two 6-2 6-3. Which meant Kent were now ahead 4-1 in rubbers with Soph last to hit the court at position one.
Soph took on the number one slot with pride and showed what an incredible fighter she is. Amazing tennis from a team leader and a player to watch. Soph took the top spot and won in three long sets to seal the Kent win.
Sarah and Nell won the third spot doubles and all other matches were conceded as Kent had finally WON division two and the girls were heading to Bath for a top four national finish in 2015.
What can I say? An amazing weekend with great girls and a top assistant. Once again we had plenty of support from the county office and parents, so a big thank you to them.
This weekend showed the girls what team spirit can do and it also rewarded the girls for all their hard work which I know is ongoing.
THANK YOU KENT GIRLS FOR BREAKING THE KENT CURSE AND I LOOK FORWARD VERY MUCH TO A NATIONAL TITLE IN 2015…ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
Regards,
Pippa Lane-Dance