Team: Daniel Blackburn, James Wood, Gabriel Johnson, Harry James
Anna Buckley, Amelia Rejecki, Moira Johnson, Millie-Mae Matthews
The 16U team was the third age group to compete in this season’s competition. The first round was against Northamptonshire. Daniel played a confident first set, then worked hard to hold the second set, 4-0, 5-3. James was also in charge most of the match, winning 4-0, 4-2. Gabriel had a very easy first set , but as with Daniel he had to work hard in the second set to win 4-0, 5-3. Harry was a great asset to the team as he came in at very short notice as the first reserve was unable to play. He had just arrived and had to go straight in court, after a tough first set, he settled down to win easily, 5-4, 4-0, giving the boys a 4-0 result.
The girls also had some very good matches, Anna won the first set 4-0, lost the second 2-4, but went on to win the match tiebreak 10-5. Amelia played a very solid match to win 4-0, 4-2. Moira who had not recently played matches, lost the first set 1-4, came back in the second set 4-1 and went on the win the match tie break. Millie- Mae well out of her age group played well to also win 4-2, 4-0, giving the girls a 4-0 win, which was a great overall start.
The second round was against Bedfordshire, their boy’s team had a player who was 18U, because he did not play at number 4 in the team, all the matches went to the opposition, but the matches played did count for ratings. Daniel won his match 4-1, 4-2, James lost his to the stronger player, Gabriel won his 4-2, 5-3, and Harry also won. Result for Notts boys being 4-0.
Anna had a tough time against Olivia Elliott a 3.2 player, she played well but lost 0-4, 0-4. Amelia had an easier time winning in straight sets 4-2, 4-0. Moira’s confidence had returned winning 4-0, 4-1, Millie had a tougher match, but went on to win 2-4, 4-2, 10-3, giving the team a 3-1 win.
The final round was against Leicestershire, the girls all played solid matches, winning in straight sets, dropping very few games, giving a 4-0 result. The boys had a tougher time, Daniel lost 3-5, 1-4 in a great match, James lost 2-4, 0-4, as did Gabriel 0-4, 1-4, but as an 12U he is way out of the age group, playing great tennis. Harry was last on court he lost the first set 0-4, came back so well in the second set to win 5-3, the match tie break was a nail biter, he had four match points, but it slipped at 14-14 to go down 14-16. This gave Leics the 4-0 win and an overall draw.
Notts girls were top in this age group, with the boys coming second.
There was great team spirit throughout, my thanks go to the parents for their support, particularly Isobel Blackburn who went back to meet Harry in Melton, to enable Notts to field a full team.
Jane Stokes ( Captain)