Team; Livvy Tomkins, Georgia Lawson, Nina Luiggi, Frances Benson, Ellie Horton, Rachel Wood, Claire Godber, Lynsey Cover.
Captain's Report:-
The girls were playing in Group 2b, in Bolton. The first day was against Surrey where Rachel had a tough three set match going down in the third set 4-6. Ellie was out played by Jasmine Amber Asghar who plays most of her tennis out of the country and had not had her rating adjusted. She was playing off a 6-1 rating when really she should have been a 4-2 at least. Frances had a great three set win, playing some solid tennis, Nina also had a tough three-setter, but went down 2-6 in the final set. Georgia played a solid match producing a great 6-0, 6-2 win. Livvy had an easy first set, she went to a tie break in the second, but played well to win 7-4. So we went into the doubles 3-3, Lyndsey and Ellie had another close match, but went down 4-6, 6-7, Frances and Claire had a struggle against Jasmine and Natalie Haden-Scott going down 2-6, 1-6. Livvy and Georgia played well together gaining a 6-0, 7-5 win. This had been a very tough match for the girls who were so disappointed to lose 4-5, 10-11 sets, 91-95 games.
The second day was against Warwickshire who beat Lancashire 7-2 on the first day. Lynsey lost the first set 3-6, came back in the second to win it 6-3, but after a tough set went down 4-6, Rachel played well but a few too many errors crept in, giving a 5-7, 4-6 result. Ellie also was against a very solid, consistent player, as was Frances, with them both losing in two sets. Georgia had a tough three sets against Holly Reid, she lost the first set 2-6, came back to win the set tie-break 7-3, but with some great tennis went down 3-6 in the third. Livvy also had a tough match against Emily Smith, she fought so hard but went down in a quality match 5-7, 3-6. It is so hard to go into the doubles knowing we have lost, but they all played well, with Livvy and Georgia having an easy 6-1, 6-1 win. Ellie and Lynsey had a close match losing the first, but winning the second set on a tie-break, going on to win the match tie-break 11-9. Frances and Claire had a tough draw against Emily Smith and Josie Williamson, going down 3-6, 0-6. As Nina was struggling with a muscle problem in her back , it was decided to rest her for this match, allowing her to play on Sunday when we knew Georgia was unavailable to play.
In our match against Lancashire there was great determination to win and stay in this Division. It started well with Lynsey winning in two sets. Claire had a marathon three hour match which she just lost in three sets. Ellie, Frances, Nina and Livvy all won in two sets, Livvy having the toughest battle against Sabrina Federici. At last the girls were going into the doubles knowing they had won, Lynsey and Ellie had a two set win, Frances and Claire lost in the third set, match tie-break, as did Nina and livvy.
It was a great weekend, the girls played and supported each other over the three days and were a pleasure to captain. My thanks go to Louise Luiggi for her help over our time away.
Jane Stokes