The event was held at King’s Park Tennis Centre, Northampton. It was a one-day event with a team of 3 boys and 3 girls, playing against Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire. The players competed against their opposite number in the singles, with one boy’s doubles, one girl’s doubles, and one mixed doubles, no player could compete in more than one doubles. They played best of 3 tie-break sets to 7 points with a clear break of 2 points.
The girls were Isabella Smillie, Lorena Gudrite and Bethan Wright.
The boys were Benjamin Phillips, Spike Morgan-Tansley and Oliver Melady
The first match was against Leicestershire.
Ben got off to a slightly nervous start but then took full control winning easily in the 2nd and 3rd sets. Spike played well in his first county match but came up against an experienced opponent. Oliver also in his first county match and the youngest boy in the team, played well and narrowly lost in 2 sets. Isabella played very well in her first match, competing well in the rallies, playing very competitively, but losing with only a few points. Lorena played well, but as with Bethany they were against more experienced match players who will be moving to Green in September. They both lost in straight sets.
Isabella and Lorena played very well in a long close 3 set match, which really they deserved to win.
Ben and Spike played some super doubles against strong opponents and won in 2 sets.
Oliver and Bethan played well but came up against a couple of players more experienced in doubles and lost in 2 sets.
Results:
Ben 4-7, 7-2, 7-2
Spike 5-7, 1-7
Oliver 4-7, 6-8
Isabella 5-7, 8-6, 4-7
Lorena 3-7, 4-7
Bethany 2-7, 2-7
Ben and Spike 7-3, 7-4
Isabella and Lorena 8-6, 7-9, 10-8
Oliver and Bethan 4-7, 4-7
Overall result was 6-3 to Leicestershire
The second round was against Northamptonshire, they also had a strong team, with girls and boys moving to Green in September. Ben had a tight match but played the big points well and came through in 2 sets. Spike and Oliver both played very well in their singles which both went to 3 sets. Spike managed to come through. Oliver so narrowly lost but certainly deserved to win the match. Isabella had a tough time losing in straight sets, Lorena played well in a tight 2 set match, with Bethany winning the first set, but the experience of her opponent came through and she was not able to finish it off. In the doubles Isabella and Lorena lost, playing very well in the second set. Ben and Spike won their doubles again showing that they were the strongest doubles pair at the event. Oliver and Bethan had a tough doubles match but both worked hard and played some nice volleys in the 2nd set.
Results:
Ben 11-9, 8-6
Spike 7-4, 0-7, 7-5
Oliver 6-8, 9-7, 8-10
Isabella 0-7, 0-7
Lorena 6-8, 4-7
Bethan 6-8, 7-4, 7-4
Ben and Spike 7-4, 7-4
Isabella and Lorena 1-7, 9-11
Oliver and Bethan 2-7, 4-7
Overall result was 6-3 to Northamptonshire
The third round was against Lincolnshire. Ben suffered his only defeat of the event with in a 3 sets loss in a topsy-turvy match. Spike also lost in 3 sets as his opponent seemed to find a little bit more in the 2nd and 3rd sets. Oliver came back well in the 2nd set after a tough opening set but gave everything. Isabella played very solid tennis to win in straight sets. Lorena also played her best singles in a very tight 2 set match, she did lose, but again it her opponent just had that edge in match play. Bethany played so well in the first set of this match to win 7-3, sadly she did lose, but great experience for next year. Ben and Spike won their doubles making it all 3 wins for them and played very well in a tight match. Isabella and Lorena had yet another close 3 set match. Oliver and Bethan were unlucky not to win the 1st set and then their opponent played very well with the confidence of having won the set to win the 2nd also.
Results:
Ben 0-7, 7-2, 3-7
Spike 7-5, 2-7, 4-7
Oliver 0-7, 4-7
Isabella 7-4, 7-4
Lorena 7-9, 6-8
Bethan 3-7, 7-4, 7-3
Ben and Spike 8-6, 7-5
Isabella and Lorena 4-7, 9-7, 5-7
Oliver and Bethan 7-9, 2-7
Overall Lincolnshire won 7-2
Notts had a young girls team, they all enjoyed the day and hopefully will gain from the experience of playing for the County for the first time.
The boys had a very enjoyable day and there was excellent team spirit with all of them making friends and enjoying the experience.
Ben and Spike now move to 10 and under and Oliver stay with the under 9’s for another year.
Well done to all the team for some excellent tennis and super attitude throughout.
James Harding & Jane Stokes (Captains)