Venue : The Graves Tennis Centre, Sheffield
Team from left to right:
Moira Johnson; Ellie Horton; Georgia Lawson; Frances Benson
Claire Godber; Anna Buckley; Amelia Rajecki
Day one was against South Wales, we were without Frances as she had an A level exam. Amelia played at 6, her first time out for the U18’s. She played some great tennis against a girl three years older. The first set was very tight but she managed a 7-5 win, this was then difficult to sustain at that level and she lost the next two, 2-6, 1-6. It was Anna’s first time with the U18 team, she also had a player several years older, but Anna’s game frustrated her opposition and she won 6-3, 6-1 playing very solid, thoughtful tennis. Moira was also playing for the 18U’s for the first time, she had a long three set match, winning the first 6-2, a very close second set 4-6, but the third slipped away 0-6. All three girls have another five years to play at this age group!
Claire’s match was tough, her opponent was hard hitting and moved the ball round the court well, she forced Claire into too many errors and she lost in two sets. Ellie also had the same problem, with heavy balls being hit with great consistency, she also lost in two sets. Georgia played very confidently winning 6-4, 6-2. This took us into the doubles 2-4 down.
Amy and Anna were out played again by older girls, they lost in two sets. Claire and Moira had a close match, they lost the first set 4-6, won the second 6-4 , going down in the tie-break 6-10. Georgia and Ellie won in a great match 6-4, 6-2.
The doubles format was different this year with the teams having to play a sudden death deuce. Notts final result was 3-6.
Day two was against Devon. Amelia played at 6 again, as Ellie had a painful back and did not play the singles. Amelia played well again against a much older girl, it was a tight match, but she held her focus, winning in two sets. Anna’s opponent was last year U18, a big strong girl. Anna handled this match so well, just dismissing winners and aces that sometimes flew past her. Between these huge shots she played her game, winning in two sets. Moira did the same, staying unnerved she played her game and also won in two sets.
As Ellie was not playing so Claire moved up to play at number 3, she had a tough match, losing in two sets. Frances started her match well, but Lucy Gill hit many winners, with points that forced Frances into too many errors, she lost in two sets. The match of the day went to Georgia, she played Emma Hurst, who is at Bath University, but also at the Bath H.P.C. Georgia went 2-5 down in the first set, both playing amazing tennis she came back to win the set 7-5, the second set was a similar standard, which Georgia lost 4-6. She also lost the third, fight until the final point in a match over three hours.
So at 3-3 Amy and Ellie had an easy doubles win in two sets, Claire and Moira had a tough match losing in two sets. Georgia and Frances had a great match but lost to Emma and Lucy. The overall result was 4-5.
The final day was against our old rivals Derbyshire. Anna had an easy win, 6-2, 6-2, Moira played well to beat Kelsey Hodgson 6-0, 6-2. Claire was playing Lauren Prince which she lost 2-6, 4-6, but Claire was having a problem with her arm. Ellie had a marathon match against Millie Devey-Smith. She won the first set 6-2, lost the second in a long battle 3-6, and then went down in the third. Frances started well against Victoria Allen, but Vicky played her very consistent tennis to win 6-2, 6-0. Georgia knew she was in for a battle against Ceire Mullins, it was a hard hitting aggressive match, which Georgia managed to won 6-3, 7-6.
At 3-3 again in the singles, Amy and Ellie won easily 6-2, 6-0, Claire’s arm seemed to recover, but she and Moira lost 2-6, 2-6 against the solid pair of Vicky and Lauren. Frances and Georgia had a great doubles match, with many games going to the sudden death deuce, they lost 4-6 , 5-7 in a match that was down to a point in the last five games.
Overall we had a good three days, there was great team spirit, my thanks go to Edward Benson for his help over the time away, and to the parents who came to support. We lose Ellie, Frances and Claire, so next year will be a very young team.
Jane Stokes (Captain)