Team (left to right) : Aiden Law, Puneet Sunner, Jacob Dunk, Gabriel Johnson with captain Dan MacShane.
Day 1
Rubber 1: Notts v Lincs
It’s the weekend of the U10 County Cup, its cold, slight drizzle and the courts are deserted.
However……..Team Notts Boys have turned out in force with one goal – to show all the other teams that we here to do our very best and represent our county in great fashion.
At number 3 Gabriel out powered his opponent to take a convincing 4-0, 4-0 win against William Barker.
At number 2 Puneet’s opponent, Jacob Ainsworth was a tough cookie who started off quick taking an early break. But this didn’t phase Puneet. He kept his composure and took the next two games and then on to win the set 4-2. He then powered through the next set with great confidence, 4-0.
At number 1 Jacob sensed danger. His opponent Matthew Gedney was on form and although Jacob fought hard and dug as deep as he could, there was no getting around this guy’s determination. Jacob went out 0-4, 0-4.
It’s all down to the doubles
Puneet and Aidan stepped up the play the deciding rubber. If we win, we claim the match 3-1. If we lose we would go to a tie break shoot out at 2 rubbers all. It was a tight match, good doubles all around. The energy of both teams were high and the volleys were on form. Despite winning the first set, we couldn’t hold them back and they managed to break us down in the 3rd set tie break 10-7.
Shoot Out: After having a team talk with all the players and getting their thoughts, we selected the same two players, Puneet and Aidan to try and get revenge in the shootout. Nerves had kicked in and it showed with too many unforced errors made, we lost the shoot out.
Bad luck boys!
Rubber 2: Notts vs. Warwickshire
Up against one of the toughest teams in the country, Nott’s were eager to get back on and give it their all, and boy they did. Unfortunately try as we did, were unsuccessful.
Match 1: Puneet started off by playing a good first set of tennis. When his opponent served for the set, Puneet put up a fantastic fight, making his opponent play 1 extra ball in every point. Unfortunately on the day his opponent Thomas Whitwell took the set and then went on to win the match 4-2, 4-0
Match 2: Gabriel really showed his spirit on court in this epic of a match. Winning the first set against his opponent Harry Lazell 4-1. With a slight lack of focus from Gabriel and a raise in energy levels from Harry, it went to a 3rd set tie break. Shot for shot, blow for blow, emotions were high and so were the flight paths. Eventually Harry took the set 11-9. Great match, Gabriel.
Match 3: Jacob was taking on goliath in the name of William Smith, or so it seemed when they stood side by side. Jacob has done his county proud today, with his performance and attitude to work for every point and chase down every ball. Warwickshire were just too strong for us and for Jacob. Jacob went out in 2 straight sets 0-4, 2-4.
Doubles: Jacob and Gabriel joined forces for this match. We had already lost the singles, and therefore effectively lost the overall match, but the boys were determined to represent Notts proudly and not give in until the very last point was over. Despite having lost the first set and being 3-0 down, we managed to turn it around, and claim that set. Another Tie break………………………………..hmmmmmmm, we need to practice tie breakers! We lost once again in the tie break.
All in all a great days tennis, the players had some great matches, and they represented the county very proudly. Disappointing first round against Lincoln, and then a tough match against Warwickshire, we could have walked away with our heads down and feeling sorry for ourselves, but we had a positive team talk and the vibe for the second day is good.
Day 2
Rubber 3: Notts vs. Leicester
Match 1:
Gabriel got off to a flying start once again (he must like the early mornings) taking the first set 4-0. And he was using the momentum he gained to secure the second set just as comfortably. 4-0, 4-0 – tidy job. His opponent was Aaron Jinks
Match 2:
Jacob was up against Louis Marsden, who is a tough competitor. Jacob battled through a tough first game after he went 0-40 on his serve but managed to win the game to start the match off with great spirit. Louis was also on top form fighting for every point, and ripping his forehands all over the place. Louis managed to secure the first set 4-2. The second set Jacob started to work the ball to Louis’ backhand more and found some success in doing so. He went 2-1 up with a break of serve. Louis was a tough cookie though and was unwilling to give in. Louis went on to secure the match 4-2, 4-2.
Match 3:
Puneet got off to a fabulous start hitting his forehand big but with good consistency. This was too much for his opponent, Oscar Holmes to handle. Puneet continued his quality ball striking to secure the match 4-1, 4-1 to take Notts into a 2-1 lead in rubbers.
Rubber 4:s vs. Northampton
Match 1:
With a slight change of team, Puneet went in at number 1. His opponent was tough. Bigger, stronger and a heavy hitter. Puneet, as hard as he tried, couldn’t find a way through Northants no1 Max Graham. He went out 0-4, 0-4
Match 2:
Gabriel was on form again in his last singles match of the weekend. His opponent Archie Reid, looked tired and drained. Gabriel took advantage of that and never let up; he won in straight sets 4-1, 4-1.
Match 3:
Aidan came in to play at number 3, and boy, did he play! He took on Daniel Bryan who was a tough cookie, but Aidan kept throwing his punches relentlessly and took a fabulous win for the team 4-2, 4-1 to take us to a 2-1 lead in rubbers.
Doubles:
Jacob and Aidan teamed up against Henry Grayson and Daniel Bryan in the doubles. Communication between the players were fantastic and Jacob did a great job of keeping their spirits high. Sadly the other 2 were just too strong. We never gave up but we didn’t have any fuel left in the tank. We lost 0-4, 1-4.
This meant it boiled down to a shootout to decide the winner of the match, but not only would it decide if we were to go home with 1 or 2 wins from the weekend. It would also decide who went through to the nationals finals. Northants and Warwickshire were both on 3 wins. We kept our focus on the task at hand and which was to go home with two wins instead of one.
Gabriel and puneet having just won their last doubles were ready and pumped to get back into the ring to battle this one out. AND BOY THEY DID!! We did it………10-7
FANTAAAAAAAAAAASTIC WIN.
To conclude the week I would like to say as captain of the Notts U10 boys team I was very proud of all their attitudes on court, commitment to every ball, showing our opponents that we would never give up. After the first day we were 2-0 down and could have very easily lost our determination and heart, but we came back stronger the day after and showed every team there that we would not be beaten even when we were looking down and out.
Congratulations ‘Team Notts’
Dan MacShane (Captain)
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