County cup report day 1 vs Surrey
An intense practice with some of the team warming up as early as 7:30 was symbolic of the eagerness ahead of the tie between us and our local rivals Surrey. Following a motivational talk from coach Filmer, the boys prepared for their matches. Unusually spread across three courts an action packed three matches unfolded. Tom Wright fought through a match full of distractions to draw first blood for Kent with a 6-4 6-1 win. Matt summers then narrowly lost in a tight 6-4 6-3 match in which he asked many questions of his opponent. Jonah Smith put in a pugnacious performance but could not quite breakdown his opponent and lost after the longest lasting match of the first round. Isaac Stoute brought back the tie with a comfortable 6-2 6-0 victory resulting from a stoic performance. Alex juniper, despite a strong effort, could not quite claim victory over his opponent and yet again Kent narrowly lost a rubber 6-4 6-3. James Davis finished the round of singles to tie up the rubbers with another comfortable victory to the score of 6-0 6-2. Matt Summers and Tom Wright were the first pair to finish and they won their match 6-3 6-3 after an energetic display. James Davis and Nick Brookes (doubles specialist) lost narrowly in a championship tiebreak after fighting back to win the second set. It all came down to the pairing of Isaac Stoute and Alex juniper. They didn't disappoint. After a slow start the boys won their match 6-4 6-3 to chants in their names. A 5-4 victory over Surrey left everyone in high spirits.
County cup report day 2 vs Leicestershire
The day began with a practice at 8:15 where we learned that Jonah was ill and James was injured, from this moment we knew it was going to be a hard day ahead.
In the first round of matches Milo was due to face James Ison, and Remus was to play Joseph Cook. Remus unfortunately lost 6-1 6-2 in a match that was closer than it sounded. He battle hard but was unfortunately beaten by an opponent who just edged it in the big points. Magic Milo on the other hand had a battle on his hands. After winning the first set 6-3 and losing the second to the same score line he entered the third set with very little momentum. At 5-2 down in the third set he showed why he has the nickname "Magic Milo", he came back to reach the breaker at 6-6. Yeah again his opponent took the lead at 6-4 up in the breaker but in true Kentish spirit he fought back to take it 9-7.
In the next round of matches Tom played Rahul Dhokia, he carved out a 6-2 6-1 win whilst dealing with illness. A true warrior in the face of adversity, typical of a Kent player.
On court 2 was Matt who took a routine 6-2 6-3 win against the Leicestershire number 3. In the final round of singles matches Isaac and Alex move up to numbers 2 and 1 respectively. Both took the win, Alex toughing it out against fierce opposition in the third set to take the match 6-1 in the third and Isaac taking out Barnaby Thorold 6-4 6-3.
Into the doubles Kent were 5-1 to the good but the win needed consolidating. The first two doubles were won by the pairings of Nick and James, and Matt and Tom. The last of the doubles rubbers saw Isaac and Alex meet some tenacious opponents who gave it their resulting in a tight and exciting match which the Kentish boys managed to edge 10-8 in the third set breaker.
For supper tonight there was a strict dress code of suit and tie. We entered Frankie&Bennys looking like a scene from "Ocean's 12". Highlights of the evening included Isaac's controversial take on the dress code and Chippy losing consecutive rounds of 5's for some diabolical forfeits.
Day 3 - Kent vs Cheshire
The day began with a game of football to warm up, the team with Jonah on were of course the victors.
The team then progressed into a hitting warm-up. Remus Cope enjoyed a fantastic half hour warm up with Kent talisman Jonah Smith. At 9.00am Alistair and James took the team for a rallying team talk to get us fired up!
Next, at just after 9.00am, 'magic milo' Bargeron and Tom Wright took to court. Tom easily dismantled the Chesire number 5; 6-1, 6-0 with ease despite prior illness. A routine job for the strongest trap 5 in County Cup history. On the contrary, Milo had a tough match and after losing the first set, managed to fight hard bravely and won in three sets.
In the next round of matches, Alex Juniper and Matthew Summers were to play. Matt inevitably wrapped up his opponent 6-3 6-0 with an outstanding array of shots. Alex was playing an unknown but stern opponent with outlandishly bright shoes. Alex's county experience showed and he won 6-2, 6-2.
On court 2 after Matthew was Isaac Stoute. Isaac was extremely relaxed and far too solid for Chesire number 2 Jamie Oakes. He prevailed 6-1, 6-3 meaning Kent had won! Promotion was ours!
James Davis was meant to be playing Adam Jones in a highly anticipated match but Jones had retained a wrist injury during the weekend.
As Matt and Tom went on for doubles we had already won the tie.. however the lads still fought hard and played clinical doubles. Their match ended 6-2,6-1. The second doubles pair sadly had to retire due to Adam Jones' injury which meant Jonah and Alex had a walkover. Nick and James had a tough doubles match against a strong Chesire pair, but still managed to win 6-3 6-7 (1-0) with a gruelling tie-break.
The end result was a Kent victory and guaranteed promotion to division 1. The weekend was a great success with huge contributions from all the team. We look forward to next year and having a crack at the title.