Team: Mia Wainwright, Marcus Smart, Jonny Lees, Lilia Dunn
Nine Counties took part in this years’ Mini Orange Festival of Tennis.
There were three groups:
Murray Group : Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire
Federer Group : Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, and
Djokovic Group: Cambridgeshire, Hereford & Worcestershire and Essex.
The first matches were against Yorkshire, Mia had a tough match playing a boy which is allowed in this age group. She played some lovely tennis, but lost in a close two sets game. Marcus and Lilia both played well, but also lost in two sets, Jonny lost his first set, but came back to win the second, but then the third set slipped away.
In the second round against Northamptonshire, Mia again was to play a boy, the standard of play was exceptionally high, this time Mia lost in three sets. Marcus and Jonny both had tough matches losing in two sets. Lilia played very well winning the first set, the match swung the other way with her opponent winning the second, but she held her concentration and won the third set.
This group result put the team in third position to then play Hereford and Worcestershire and Buckinghamshire who also came third in their group.
All four of our team won their matches in straight sets against Buckinghamshire, but again had a tough time against Hereford& Worcs, Mia played another great match to go down in three sets, Marcus and Lilia lost in straight sets, but Jonny battled on to win his match in a close two sets. This result put Notts in second position in that group.
Hertfordshire were the overall winners, in very close fought matches against Yorkshire and Essex. It was the most successful day, so well organised, there was never an empty court. While the scores were collated after the first round all players had two fun doubles matches, with scores that did not count for the festival, they all thought this was great.
The whole day was played with great team spirit, with all players supporting each other. My thanks go to the parents for their support throughout the day.
Jane Stokes (Captain)