- Year 13 Boys Reach Regional Final in Sunderland
- Under 14 Girls Team Qualify Through from Regional To National Finals!
- First time both teams were represented together at the Regional Finals
The Royal Grammar School (Newcastle) boys and girls teams qualified through to the Regional Team Tennis Schools Finals in 2017. The girls team went on to qualify for the National Finals in December, which were held at Bolton Arena,
Their success well and truly put the Newcastle based school on the map, with the girls finishing the year ranked 15th and the boys 20th nationally!
The campaign began in the summer term of 2017 where attendance at tennis clubs reached 25 participants. Of this number, girls and boys were selected for local league matches against the likes of NHSG, Mowden Hall and Newcastle School for Boys (NSB). For the girls, Kirstin McLeod, Alice Geoghegan, Ayesha Bajwa and Ciara Boaden took part in a round robin tournament against 2 other schools competing on the scenic courts at Mowden School. The score lines were close but both went the way of RGS thanks to Kirstin’s power, Ayesha’s control under pressure, Alice’s competitive spirit and Ciara’s steady, accurate forehand. These wins allowed the girls to progress to the regional knock out competition which continued in the autumn term.
For the boys, Newcastle School for Boys were their only clash and they were soon entering the regional rounds now as players in year 9. One afternoon, these competitors were to be seen fighting it out on the indoor courts of The Northumberland Tennis Club v Sedbergh, always tough and determined opposition. With only one set to play in the singles rounds, RGS boys found themselves 3 rubbers to 1 down. Once involved in the doubles however, there was a shift. The experience of the RGS boys first pair, Matthew Nice and Bobby Green shone through as they expertly poached the ball at net and cut points short on their favourite surface. The second pair, William Walker and Josh Kim (the teams only younger member) complemented each other well and picked out their oppositions weakness winning 6 games to 4. The match was tied and it was another match tiebreak to decide the outcome. Nice and Kim stepped up, and in pressured circumstances dominated from the first point. A convincing 10-3 win saw the boys through to regional knock outs in Sunderland. An exciting prospect!
Now as U14 students, the girls had confidence for the regional knock outs yet the opposition became tough and the matches extremely close. One stand-out fixture was that against Yarm. With three rubbers to each school, a tie was a draw. The match entered a tiebreak with one girl for each double play selected. Final result went our way but only by the smallest of margins and credit to Yarm for the hard fight right until the very end!
The U14 girls team had progressed to the regional finals to be held at Sunderland Tennis Centre along with the boys. To have 2 teams in these finals has not happened at RGS for a long time and both teams performed extremely well in the journey to this point.
The girls competed first on Thursday 16th November. For 3 out of the 5 girls selected for the squad, this was their first time competing in such a high profile event. First round opposition was Queen Margaret’s, York. McLeod, Geoghegan, Bajwa and Boaden put the team in a comfortable early lead winning their singles sets with some magnificent lobbing from Alice and impressive serving from Kirstin. Amy Davis stepped in as the 5th player to compete in the doubles and did so calmly and confidently. Final score was 12- 0 to RGS. Final round opposition was a school form the south. RGS girls were once again calm under pressure and picked their opponents weaknesses to win the tie. It was on to the national finals for the first time since girls had started attending RGS!
The boys competed on Friday 7th November. Up against tough opposition, they fought until the last point however with these academy schools such as Merchiston Castle School, playing 6 times a week, they were simply too strong. Credit must go to the RGS boys, playing some of their best tennis and remaining competitive through the doubles matches. Matthew Nice and Bobby Green stunned their opposition in the doubles and William Walker and Nick Johnston showed just how much they have improved through this tournament in theirs.
National Finals
The girls travelled on Friday 1st December after a training session at Jesmond Lawn Tennis Club once the snow had been removed!
First up were Talbot Health, a tennis academy from Dorset, known for their time spent on court and fierce competitiveness. RGS were up against it and their experience was obvious. The opposition were hard hitting, relentless in their accuracy and uncompromising on the attack.
Next up were Queenswood, the number one seeds of the tournament. These girls were even more athletic, consistent and talented. RGS girls were once again shocked to see how effective they were on court and just how competitive they were to the last point. Yet despite this, the girls retained their focus and impressively played some pf their best tennis, cleverly forcing the Queenswood girls to work for the wins rather than handing it to them. The girls listened carefully to advice at the change of ends and worked hard to implement tactics in then most pressured of situations. Never before had the team competed in such a high-level competition. Kirstin and Emily snatched 6 games in their doubles adding a spring to their step that evening. The girls were upbeat at the end, already considering the best plan of attack for the third and final match the following morning and keen to get up early for the extra practice time. Their attitude throughout the whole weekend was exceptional.
Leicester Grammar School were RGS’s final opponents on Sunday morning and we could see opportunities against this school. Alice Geoghagan was up first for her singles. The difference in her tennis from the day before was staggering. She was consistent, stronger, determined and absolutely focused on the task in front of her. Our first win of the tournament was secured after 40 minutes of long rally’s and closely contested games.
Ayesha, despite losing a close set was consistent and hard working. Ayesha did herself proud and although losing her match, put it behind her and turned her thoughts to the doubles.
Up next was the most impressive fight of the weekend. With steely concentration on her face, Emily began her set. The match began with hard hitting from the back of the court and these two player’s played a very similar game. The only thing that separated them was Leicester’s ability to counteract our attacking shots from all areas on the court. Despite a loss in the end, Emily analysed her set with thought and careful reflection.
Kirstin was on next to play a GB representative with power! Leicester’s timing on the ball was exceptional and Kirstin’s reactions were tested even from the base line. She did not look out of place competing against girls of this strength and responded with some wonderful winners down the line and exceptional first serves. The set moved at a fast pace and despite matching the power of her opponent, Kirstin succumbed to a defeat but did not dwell on the loss. She remained positive and determined and set up to support her team mates in the penultimate doubles.
Their last doubles was where Ayesha and Alice were going to snatch their first win of the weekend as a pair. It all started well. Sold volleys at net and consistency from the back of the court saw them 3-0 and then 4-1 up. Before they knew it, they were 6-5 down. They looked like an experienced doubles pair, communicating and reacting off each other well. They were 6-4 up and a double fault from the opposition gave them the win. It wasn’t the ideal end to a very close match but it was a win! The girls breathed a sigh of relief and then jumped for joy, elation on their faces! They showed resilience under pressure and were rewarded justly for it.
Kirstin and Emily entered the doubles, elated from the teams second win of the weekend. More impressive hitting from both the girls against two very talented and well coached players, yet they were just too strong. Still, the girls made Leicester work for every point and enjoyed working together to produce their favourite serve and volley combinations.
Teachers Matthew Poole and Kerry Smith were incredibly proud of the girls achievements,
“They gave the competition their all, taking all the positives and learning a huge amount along the way. They were supportive of each other both on court and off. Chased every ball with endless energy and in true RGS style used their heads to pick out the very few weaknesses that their opponents seemed to have. All four of them will have become better tennis players for the experience they have had. To see these RGS girls grow as players as much as they have done this weekend and to learn so much is truly satisfying. The girls did not give up when the competition was hard. They did not lower their heads when they knew who they were up against, the first time or the second time. The accepted their challenges and reflected on their experiences like true competitors. I hope the girls remember this experience for years to come. They stepped up their game over the weekend and should be proud.”
For more information please contact:
Jo Cunliffe (Regional Tennis Participation Manager) on 0795 8233715 or Jo.Cunliffe@LTA.org.uk
