The Lincolnshire Girls 12 & Under team did themselves proud at a fun weekend on home soil at Boston Tennis Club for County Cup 2017. (Group A, 1st & 2nd July)
Team consisted of: Alice Gamman, Stephanie Ainsworth, Isabel Wookey, Christie Halton
Saturday morning saw us face a strong Nottinghamshire side, who had nationally ranked players in their midst. Alice Gamman stepped up to the plate at #1 seed, Christie Halton at #2, and Isabel Wookey at #3 on her 12&U debut. Issie kept the tie alive taking a set off her higher rated opponent, but Alice and Christie’s opposition just proved too strong.
Northamptonshire were next, and Steffi Ainsworth came in to provide some fresh legs at the #3 singles rubber. The score laid at 1-2 following the singles, thanks to a convincing win by Christie. It was a huge effort from Alice too who took a set from her opponent. Luckily Christie continued her momentum into the doubles match with Alice, taking that 4-0 4-0, and furthermore an exciting shootout to decide the tie, 10-3.
Lincolnshire went home from Day 1 in a comfortable 3rd position in the table, not before the biggest tie of the weekend… Adults v Children bowling! Needless to say, this ended a runaway victory for the adults (and Faye!).
Alice, Christie and Steffi were to face Leicestershire on a sunny Sunday morning in the day’s first singles rubbers, however the Leics girls proved too consistent as they ran away with the tie. Issie and Steffi stepped up to play the doubles rubber this time, in a valiant effort from the newly formed pairing. As expected, Notts and Leics were to battle it out later on that day to decide who were the group winners.
So, playing for 3rd place against Derbyshire in singles were Alice, Christie and Issie. Christie got the team off to a flying start, not dropping a game in her match. Alice had a far trickier opponent, and just missed out to make the tie 1-1. Next to court was Issie, winning in a very composed style, so Lincolnshire simply needed the doubles to wrap up the match and claim 3rd in the group. Alice and Christie (certainly not to their supporters delight) clearly didn’t want the weekend to come to an end, taking the doubles match to a 3rd set breaker, yet threw away three set points to go down 13-15 in a real nail-biter. So, the pair had to step up once more to play a 10-point doubles tie-break to decide the tie. Again, this was neck and neck, however Alice served it out in style to win 10-8. What a result!
Huge huge props, and thanks, to Alice and Christie in their final year in this age group. And as for Steffi and Issie- the future looks very promising...!
Team Captain/Manager, Faye Button
Results:
Nottinghamshire 8 – 0 Lincs
Northamptonshire 4 – 4 Lincs (Shootout 3 – 10)
Leicestershire 8 – 0 Lincs
Derbyshire 4 – 4 Lincs (Shootout 8 – 10)
Final Placing -