Somerset Men entered day 3 with a simple equation against Durham and Cleveland. Whoever got to five rubbers first stayed in group 5. Sporting a slightly changed line up because of injuries to Fay and Phillips and the arrival of Richard Gabb, Somerset looked a good mix of youth and experience. Gabb, fresh from 9 weeks of futures in Australia, slotted in at 1 and debutant Anthony Hudson came into the line up at position six.
Somerset repeated the trick of the first few days by sharing the singles rubbers at numbers 5 and 6. Hudson showed real grit and determination on his debut against an experienced opponent, coming through 6-3 6-4 showing some excellent touch and feel in all areas of the court. Edwards, fresh from back to back wins on Day 1 and 2, started well against talented Durham player Richard Love but succumbed in the first 6-4. After facing break points at 4-4 in the second Edwards showed some passion and determination to come back and squeeze the second set 7-6. He couldn’t quite find the same level in the 3rd and went down 6-2. It shows that the future of Somerset tennis is bright when the two teenage debutants Hudson and Sam Edwards won 3 / 4 singles rubbers between them across the weekend.
Pankhurst stepped up to the plate coming in a position 4 using all his experience to beat youngster Sam Archer 6-4 6-1 after coming back from a break down in the first set. Pankhurst’s backhand once again proved one of the decisive shots of the match and few watching word argue it was one of the best shots in group 5. A confident Toby Mitchell came in at 3 against Nick Osbourne who had shown what a good player he is earlier in the week. In a clash baseliners vs. volleyer Mitchell one through 6-3 6-4 showing why he has got himself up to 278 in ITF Junior World Rankings this year.
Captain Deem went on court knowing that with Gabb at 1, a win at 2 against Dan Jewitt would be highly likely to secure a place in group 5 for 2011 without the need to play any doubles rubbers. Deem started well breaking in the 2nd game for a 2-0 lead but surrendered that back immediately being broken in the next game. The players exchanged service holds for the remainder of the set with few chances to take the first set to a tiebreak. Deem went down quickly 3-1 before coming back to have set points at 6-4, 6-5 and 7-6 before eventually finding a way through to take it 9-7 after some fantastic points.
Jewitt tired somewhat in the second with Deem breaking at 2-2 and 4-2 to lead 5-2 heading into his service game. In a tense final service game Deem had match points at 40-15 and three at Advantage before finally holding on to win when Jewitt pushed a short forehand long for Deem to take the set 6-2 and the tie 5-1 to the great delight of the significant Somerset support who came to see Somerset stay up.
Deem was proud of his side that showed really competitiveness in all ties and proved how much they wanted to represent their county in this competition. The battle for places in future team is sure to be fierce with many players vying for places. Injured players Craig Phillips and Richard Fay showed up as chief supporters for the day which was appreciated by the Somerset squad. Durham were complimented on the way they played the tie in the final presentation by LTA Councillor Nigel Barker, with the team captains and most importantly the referee thanked for their organisation in the event.
Winter County Cup remains a passionate affair for all players involved and the standard of tennis impresses those watching even in relatively lowly group 5. Durham were assured by all that their side was strong enough to return to group 5 in 2012. To finish off proceedings in group 5b Bedfordshire were narrow 5-3 losers against eventual group 5b winners Gloucestershire who were complimented by Nigel Barker on their spirit and endeavour in winning the group. It must be noted that of all the team in the group, Somerset ran them the closest.
To find full results of Day 3 in Group 5b Click Here
Squad: Richard Gabb (Street), James Deem (Wellington), Toby Mitchell (Burnham – On – Sea), Craig Phillips (Brean), James Pankhurst (Yeovil), Sam Edwards (Wells), Richard Fay (Cheddar), Anthony Hudson (Wells), Alex Hudson (Wells), Richard Stock (Taunton).