This year we were at Boston Tennis Club, competing against Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
In each match the boys and girls played a singles, a girls doubles, a boys doubles and a mixed doubles.
Notts first match was against Leicestershire.
Bethan played solid tennis winning 7-5, 7-2. Amelia was playing for the first time in a County event, she had a long first set playing very well but went down 9-11, she came back well to win the second 7-5, but then lost the third 4-7. Sophia had a really close match, 5-7, 6-8 which could have gone either way.
Oliver and Elijah both had 3 set matches and played some excellent tennis. The matches could have gone either way and Oliver lost 14-12, 8-6 but Elijah came through in 3 sets 12-14, 7-1, 7-5. Masih has a tough first match against a solid player and lost 7-4, 7-0.
Elijah and Masih played some good doubles in their first match together but unfortunately lost 10-8, 8-6.
Sophia and Amelia played the doubles, again a close match 5-7, 6-8.
Bethan and Oliver played the mixed, winning the first set 7-2, then two close sets, but went down to Leicestershire 5-7, 5-7.
Although we lost the scores did not reflect the standard of tennis.
The second round was against Lincolnshire.
Bethan played the match of the day against Ingrid, a very talented 8 year old. It was a competitive match, with long high standard rallies, Bethan lost 2-7, 0-7, again a score not reflecting the standard of tennis. Amelia played well, but against a more experienced player she lost 4-7, 3-7. Sophia held her own in this first set, again the stronger player won 5-7, 2-7.
Oliver was dominating his match 7-0 and 3-1 up but unfortunately couldn’t quite hold the lead and lost out 7-0, 5-7, 4-7. Elijah had a strong opponent and lost out 3-7, 5-7 but played some good tennis within the match. Masih played his best match with some great rallies but lost out 7-9, 4-7.
Elijah and Masih came up against some excellent attacking doubles play from Lincs and lost 3-7, 3-7. Amelia and Sophia played well together going down 5-7, 2-7. Bethan and Oliver played well, Lincolnshire’s net play won the match 5-7, 4-7.
The final round was against Northamptonshire.
Bethan played solid tennis again winning 7-4, 7-5, Amelia and Sophia had tough matches both going down in straight sets, but they then went on to win their doubles 7-4, 7-3 which was a great win. Bethan and Oliver sadly went down in straight sets.
Oliver again had a very close match which he could have won against a very strong opponent but lost 7-3, 5-7, 5-7. Just like his other matches he played some excellent tennis. Elijah also played a very strong boy but managed to play some super tennis to win 7-4, 9-7, Masih lost 5-7, 1-7 but competed well. Elijah and Masih lost to some more very aggressive and solid doubles play 0-7, 4-7.
The last round was our best result which we were all pleased about as it was Northamptonshire who went on to win the gold medals.
The Notts boys and girls all played well, there was great team spirit, with a lot of close matches they were all there to support each other. we would like to thank Amelia for coming into the team a short notice, as Notts had 5 girls who were unable to play due to holidays or other commitments. Well done to you all.
Jane Stokes and James Harding
Team: Oliver Melady, Elijah Killen Smith, Masih Shirazi
Bethan Wright, Amelia Kamracka, Sophia Chambers.