It was the turn of the Nottinghamshire U10’s to take on Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire at the 12 counties in Corby. The team arrived at 10am for a warm-up, pre-match hit and of course the captains words of wisdom before the battles commenced.
Unfortunately we had a late withdrawal in the girls as Liana Sharratt-Blanksby was injured but we got a rookie in the night before so all the other number 4’s had matches. Alexandra joined the team from Northampton and all the team made her feel really welcome. Her matches didn’t count for the team but was great for her to come and battle alongside us.
Our number one goal was to be the best TEAM. This meant best supporters off the court and on the court fighting for every point not only for themselves but for their teammates. The players didn’t disappoint even though sometimes on court our emotions may have got lost in the way at times, it showed that we were passionate and gave us something to learn and work on in the future. The essence of the team was there throughout the day but it wasn’t right until the end that we came into our own. When all other teams were leaving while teammates were still playing we were all there until the end pulling benches around by the side of Indy’s court to support him over the finish line.
The day may not have gone our way (results below) but we have all left with having learned something from the experience (mine to take better selfies throughout the day) and are going back to base to improve and come back next time tougher and stronger. Watch out the other counties. we will be working harder than you ready for our next battles.
I want to say a big thank you to the parents who were very supportive and encouraged all players across the event, clapping good play from both our players and their opponents.
Captain Hollie Bambridge
Pictured from left to right
Hollie Bambridge; Lilia Dunn; Naomi Szczur; Marcus Smart; Mia Wainwright; Connor Green; Johnny Lees; Indy Weir
Results
V Cambridgeshire
Boys 1-3
Connor Green v Zander Brock Won 4-2 5-3
Johnny Lees v Cassius Jessup Lost 2-4 3-5
Marcus Smart v Sam Slater Lost 2-4 1-4
Indy Weir v Ryan Parkins Lost 4-2 3-5 6-10
Girls 1-3
Mia Wainwright v Sophie Tjurina Won 4-1 4-0
Lilia Dunn v Marennah Prempeh Lost 4-1 2-4 6-10
Naomi Szczur v Gabriella Zailer-Fletcher Lost 1-4 1-4
Alexandra Manolovic v Daniella Pam Won 4-1 4-1
V Hertfordshire
Boys 0-4
Connor Green v Dylan Warren-Cafferty Lost 1-4 5-4(2) 4-10
Johnny Lees v Ben Lim Lost 4-5(6) 0-4
Marcus Smart v Theo McIlvenna Lost 1-4 1-4
Indy Weir v Alexander McKenzie Lost 2-4 1-4
Girls 0-4
Mia Wainwright v Erin Pearce Lost 2-4 4-0 5-10
Lilia Dunn v Marielle Raath Lost 3-5 2-4
Naomi Szczur v Jody Neverling Lost 1-4 0-4
Alexandra Manolovic v Ava Williamson won 3-5 4-2 10-1
V Oxfordshire
Boys 2-2
Connor Green v Jack Veal Lost 2-4 2-4
Johnny Lees v Oliver Veal Lost 0-4 1-4
Marcus Smart v Adam Pinner Won 2-4 4-1 10-3
Indy Weir v John Cairins Won 4-2 1-4 10-4
Girls 3-0
Mia Wainwright v Maria Ustic Won 4-0 4-0
Lilia Dunn v Julia Siemiatkowska Won
Naomi Szczur v Kitty Spurgeon Won 4-0 4-0
Alexandra Manolovic- No Match Oxfordshire no fourth player