County Cup 2018 – Norwich
Team: Amy Griffiths, Maddy Frediani, Melanie Griffiths, Hannah Dazley, Ella McDonald, Maisie Lavelle, Rachel McCrae, Jhonayah Fletchman.
Day 1 vs. Norfolk.
Lancashire girls put the first points on the board, as Ella McDonald and Hannah Dazley dominated in the no.6 and no.5 Singles spots. Norfolk responded by taking the remaining four singles rubbers. We went into the doubles tie 2-4 down, which meant we had to win all 3 Doubles matches.
Ella and Hannah made it 3-4 with a win at no.3 doubles, shortly before the pairing of Maddie Frediani and Rachel McCrae levelled the tie at 4 all. Despite their best efforts, Amy and Melanie Griffiths fell to Norfolk’s no.1 pair resulting in a 4-5 loss for Lancashire on Day 1.
Day 2 vs. Essex.
On day 2 the younger girls were asked to step up against a strong Essex team. Jhonayah Fletchman at no. 6 and Maisie Lavelle at no.5 had their first experience of County Cup in this age group. Although Ella McDonald and Hannah Dailey pushed their opponents to a third set, the team was unable to pull off a win in Singles. That didn’t dampen their resolve as they moved on to Doubles with wins for both the first pair, Amy and Melanie Griffiths and the third pair, Hannah and Ella. The final match score was 2-7 Essex.
Day 3 vs. East of Scotland.
Day 3 saw the team in a relegation play off against East of Scotland. Lancashire took the first two Singles, with wins for Maisie Lavelle at no.6 and Ella McDonald at no.5. Melanie Griffiths soon chalked up another win at no.3, followed by her sister Amy who won a third set tie break in the no. 1 spot. Going into the Doubles, the team needed just one win to avoid the drop. The third pair, Ella and Hannah, and the second pair Maddie and Rachel, set about the task with equal determination and both came away with 6/4 6/4 wins to secure Lancashire’s place in Division 3 next year.
Well done to all the team; it’s been a great team effort, with everyone playing their part in the overall result. Once again the support for each other during matches has been fantastic. Good luck to Amy and Rachel, who now move out of the U18’s age group.