Despite contrasting results, Suffolk’s top juniors all did the county proud recently in the nationwide Aegon Junior County Cup Competition. Nia Braidford at the age of 13 was making her debut, with Suffolk Girls based at nearby Easton College and competing against Lincolnshire, Shropshire and Northamptonshire. Nia teamed up with Troi Baxter, Hannah Vickers, Jemima Jacobs, Ella Monsey and Kitty McWhirter, and despite being relegated, the side put up a highly creditable performance.
In their opening match the Girls were just pipped by Lincolnshire 5-4, Kitty and Nia losing their doubles on a 3rd set championship tie-break, which was to become a familiar event by the end of the weekend. Despite any number of fighting displays, the team also went down to Shropshire 2-7, every doubles encounter being lost on a championship tie-break, and in the crucial decider 4-5 to Northamptonshire.
The final analysis shows that the Girls were one tie-break away from staying in the Division, and 5 tie-breaks from being promoted in a very close group. Coach Matty Hough reported that the team were “fantastic both on and off court, and all the girls learnt lessons over the weekend.” Special mention must go to Hannah Vickers for winning all her three singles, and to Kitty McWhirter for being a great team player, and a very young side can soon look forward to a promotion charge up the divisions.
Our Boys’ 18U team of James Ling, Rohan Abel, Ryan Lambert, Paul Midgley, Matt Kirby and Myles Orton were based at Taunton in Division 4, finishing as runners-up to champions Devon. James Ling was making his debut, and was the stand out player of the whole weekend, showing real quality when it really mattered. A comfortable 7-2 win was a great start to the weekend, Myles, Matt and Paul all winning their matches with ease.
Confidence was high with another 8-1 victory on the 2nd day, though only James was victorious against a very strong Devon team, Ryan Lambert just going down in a tight three-set encounter. Captain Jeremy Cowley, whose Men’s team compete in the lofty heights of Group 2 at Cromer in the Summer, commented that it was “ a great effort from the boys, and some future stars for the Men’s team look like they are beginning to emerge !”
Our 14U teams also competed recently in the 12 Counties Championship at Corby, the Boys’ team of Max Darrington, Ben Jones, Jared Bones and Toby Cutting sweeping all the opposition before them, with Suffolk now in a very strong position in the tournament overall, with the 16Us the final side to participate soon.