Team : Donovan Cellupica-Towers, Eban Straker-Meads, James Chester, Daniel Blackburn
Frances Benson, Ellie Horton, Claire Godber, Anna Buckley.
The first round was against Hereford &Worcestershire where Donovan played very well winning in two straight sets. Eban also played a solid match winning in two sets. James had a long close match, which went to set all. He played a great match tie-break to give us a third singles. Daniel came into the team at last minute on the Saturday morning as reserve, and he also played very well to secure the final win for the boys.
Frances had a close first set, but then went on to win 5-3, 4-0. Ellie also had a tight match, she played well, but lost in the match tie-break. Claire had a close match, but lost to a very consistent player. Anna was also brought in as reserve on the morning, so was unable to be at the venue for start of play, so I conceded the match. Notts final score was a 5-4 win.
The second round was against Buckinghamshire. Donovan had a tough match, it was a hard hitting match of high standard tennis, a few too many errors crept in, so lost in two sets. Eban had played well, always in control of the match, he won in two sets. James had another long match, playing well he was pushed to a match tie-break again, unfortunately this time he lost. Daniel played well, he won the first set easily, and went on to win the second set in the tie-break.
Frances lost the first set, she went on to win the second 5-4, and then played a solid match tie-break to win 10-6. Ellie had a nervous match against a very consistent younger player, she held her nerve and won in two sets. Claire played a better match, but lost to a very consistent player. Anna played well to win in straight sets. Again Notts achieved a 5-4 overall win.
The final round was against Essex, they are sitting at the top of the league with a large margin. The Essex boys were strong, Donovan lost in two sets; Eban had a battle but went on to win, and he played very well. James had yet another marathon match, going to a match tie-break again, which unfortunately he lost. Daniel also had a tough match losing in two sets.
The girls had a tough time, Frances managed to push her opponent to a match tie-break, but then lost, fighting all the way. Ellie played well, but the lost in two sets. Anna played a great match against a much older girl, she did lose with a 3-5, 2-4 score. Claire’s final match was about to start at 5-30 pm, Notts had already lost to Essex, their Captain requested we did not play the match as they had a two hour journey home. The Referee agreed to this.
My thanks go to the parents for their support, and particularly to Anna and Daniel and their parents who came to Corby at such short notice.
Jane Stokes