Team (pictured) : Livvy Tomkins, Amelia Rajecki , Jessie Beiley, Moira Johnson, Evie Lopez; Jane Stokes (Capt), Jessica Spencer, Anna Buckley, Georgia Lawson, Jamie Drummond (County Coach)
Nottinghamshire were in Group 4b this year , playing at Newport Tennis Centre, South Wales.
We played Avon on the first day, unfortunately Livvy and Georgia were not available due to A level mock exams, but did arrive on the Friday evening after school. This meant the team all moved two places up which was going to make it a tough match. Anna played a great first set against Maria Budin winning it 7-6, she went on playing well, but could not sustain the pace and consistency of the older girl, she lost the next two sets 2-6, 1-6. Amelia was in the same position against India Britland, she played some amazing tennis hitting a huge ball for her age, Amelia fought to the end losing 6-7, 5-7. Moira also played well winning the first set 6-3, but could not keep it up for the next two set losing 2-6, 2-6 against Hannah Thomas. Jessie lost her first set 0-6, but came back with more confidence in the second, going down 4-6. Evie played as well as she could against a much stronger girl, losing 1-6, 2-6. Jessica still only eleven years old had the same problem losing 0-6, 0-6, but has so much promise for the future. The girls enjoyed their doubles, but against more experienced players, all lost in straight sets. The team were really looking forward to Livvy and Georgia arriving!
The second day was against Northumberland. Moira and Jessie were first on at 5 and 6 respectively and immediately you could see they were more comfortable in these playing positions. Jessie won 6-4, 6-1, with Moira winning 6-1, 6-1. It was a great boost to start the day. Amelia also had a solid win 6-2, 6-1, playing some very dominating tennis. Anna played another great first set against Claudette Gilhespie to win it 7-6, but again could not sustain the pace and weight of shot from the older girl, she lost 0-6, 2-6. Georgia was next on court, she was rather nervous as she had not competed for some time, as she had been playing netball, gaining a place in the England Team. Georgia played well, but not tight enough to beat Francesca Booth, she went down 3-6, 2-6. Livvy also had her work cut out against Stephanie Booth, she played some well constructed points to win 6-1, 6-1.
After the singles the girls were 4-2 up. Jessie and Moira were first on for the doubles where they played solid uncomplicated tennis to win 6-0, 6-4, giving us five wins. Anna and Amelia played some great doubles, they lost the first set 6-7, won the second 6-2, but then lost the match tie break 1-10.
The overall result was 5-4 which the whole team were pleased with.
The final day was against Cornwall, Jessie just made too many errors against a very steady Anya Gough losing 1-6, 3-6. Moira played well, hitting some very heavy shots to win 6-2, 6-2. Amelia again played very solid tennis to beat Bethany Cole 6-3, 6-0. Anna was against Daisy Chapman, a younger player. Anna lost the first set 2-6. Over the past two days Anna had played bit hitters, and she now had to create the pace, which she did in the next two sets to win 6-3, 6-1. Georgia played well, very few errors to beat Arielle Fitkin 6-0, 6-2. Livvy had another tough match against Nadia Rawson, Livvy played well but went down 4-6, 2-6. These singles results gave Notts a 4-2 lead.
Moira and Jessie were first on for doubles, they played very well, winning 6-1, 6-2. This match gave us the five wins we needed to win. As Cornwall and Northumberland had long journeys home, Cornwall decided to concede the last two doubles.
The weekend result put Avon with the win taking first place, Nottinghamshire came second, with Northumberland in third place, Cornwall in fourth place. There had been great team spirit on all three days, my thanks go to Jamie Drummond for all his help and support over the weekend.
Jane Stokes (Captain)