Leicestershire boys were off to Malvern this year. The playing format was two groups of three and then on the final day each team would play the team finishing in the same position as them in the alternate group on the last day.
Day One
Leicestershire were up against the seeded county in our group (Warwickshire) and we went down 4-2. Leicestershire lost three 3-setters this day. If we could have taken one we could have forced a match shootout tiebreak as we went on to win both doubles but it was not to be.
All the same, some great tennis was played: Daniel Tarokh at no 3 and Alex Solonenko no 4, followed by Rahul Dhokia at no 1 - all losing in 3 sets. In Rahul’s case to a player ranked in the top 10 in Europe. Roman Kenny-Manning teamed up with Rahul for the no 1 doubles, and Angus Osborne partnered Daniel as 2nd pair, both pairs winning in straight sets. It turned out to be the decisive match in our group as Warwickshire went on to make the final, losing to Middlesex on Day 3.
Day Two
On the second day we were up against Northamptonshire and went through the day without losing any rubbers or even sets. We won 6-0 and set up a 3rd/4th playoff with North Wales on the final day. Leicestershire went in with exactly the same team as day one and all the boys got a win on the board.
Day Three
The boys 2nd place finish in the group set up a 3rd/4th playoff with North Wales on the final day. Rahul lost at 1 in straight sets before we went on the take the remaining 3 singles comfortably. Roman, Dan and Alex all won before we took both remaining doubles to win 5-1 and finish in 3rd place overall, same place as the previous year. This was a good effort from all the boys as the top two counties were strong. Our team had a great team spirit throughout the whole weekend and there will be a new look to the team next year, as only Alex will remain, all the others move out of the 4 & Under age group.
Jack Simpson - U-14 Leicestershire Boys Captain
Photo Left to Right: Jack Simpson/Rahul Dhokia/ Alex Solonenko/ Daniel Tarokh/ Angus Osborne/ Roman Kenny-Manning/ Ben Minski