Venue : Wrexham
Team: Holly Mellors, Etianna Whitaker, Moira Johnson, Michelle Dzjachangirova, Amy Harrold-Vaux, Katie Fuller.
Notts were in a group of four Counties. We played North Wales on the first day. Moira and Michelle were playing in their first County Cup, Moira played a solid match winning 6-4, 6-0, Michelle had a tough game, she lost the first set 4-6, came back well to win the second 6-4 but then went down 3-6 in the third. At only 11 years old they both played well. Etianna played as well as she was allowed, she lost to Elin Anderson who hit a very heavy ball with great consistency. Holly played well but with too many errors went down to Eleanor Scarff. Going into the doubles at 1-3 down, Amy and Etianna played very well to win in the third set tie-break 10-3. We were all hoping for a 3-3 result, but unfortunately Holly and Katie lost in two sets.
Day two was against Derbyshire. They had a strong team. Moira and Amy played at 3&4, although they played well they could not sustain the strength and consistency of their opponants, both losing in straight sets. Etianna and Holly had the same problems, Holly played very well staying in the long rallys against a very consistent Victoria Allen. Etianna served well, but it was very windy and she could not sustain the consistency with the strength of her opponant. Going into the doubles is so difficult when you are 0-4 down, but Holly and Michelle played very well to win in straight sets. Etianna and Amy lost the first set quickly, the second set was much tighter, but they went down 5-7.
Our final day was against Cheshire, who had had convincing wins on the two previous days so it was going to be tough. Michelle had a great match against Katie Merrick but lost 6-7, 6-7, Holly, Etianna and Moira all lost in straight sets to players rated several places above them. They also lost the doubles. Cheshire were the overall winners, going through to the National Finals in June.
There was great team spirit throughout the three days, thanks go to the parents who came to support, but particularly to Miralle Whitaker for her help over the weekend.
Jane Stokes (Captain)