Strong Sussex Challenge at Boys U12 County Cup
Sussex U12 Boys (Lui Maxted, Toby Bloomfield, Tom Beuttell-Triggs, Oskar Lockyer and Josh Parsons, captained by Nigel Matthews and Keelan Oakley) fought hard and played some excellent tennis throughout their County Cup weekend this year. The U12 counties are divided into regional leagues, so, being situated in the South East quickly led to our group being dubbed the ‘group of death’ with 6 very strong teams who would all sit comfortably in the Top 10 nationally. However – only one team could qualify.
Sussex started their weekend very strongly with an amazing Saturday performance. Lui Maxted and Toby Bloomfield posted excellent singles wins against Hampshire, and this was followed up later by further singles wins against Kent for Lui and Tom Beuttell-Triggs, who fought back from 6-2 down in a first set tie-break to take it 8-6.
However, both Hampshire and Kent fought back strongly in the doubles and, towards the end of a very hot day, both ties rested precariously at 2-2, meaning that a nail-biting championship tie-break shoot out would be needed to settle both matches.
Captain, Nigel Matthews, sent on his number 1 and 2 players, Lui and Toby, to see whose nerve and tennis skills might bear out. Lui and Toby had never played doubles together before and found themselves 4-2 down against Hampshire in the early stages of the shoot out. However, cheered on by team-mates, parents and a vuvuzela, they played determinedly to reach 8-8. A nervous double-fault from Hampshire gave Sussex a match point. At 9-8, Toby managed to find a big serve and Lui sealed the tie with an excellent volley. Game, set, match and tie to Sussex!
Lui and Toby took to the court again to face a strong Kent pair in another shoot-out. Whilst the nerves of the supporters may have been quite ragged by this point, Lui and Toby showed none. The tie-break was close throughout, but once again, some strong and brave serving from Sussex towards the end made the difference. Another 10-8 victory for Team Sussex to see them top their group and qualify for the semis on Sunday.
Sunday morning brought a semi-final tie against a very strong Surrey team. Sussex boys fought bravely but it looked like Saturday’s nail-biting exertions may have sapped some of their strength. Tom won an excellent singles rubber to keep Sussex in the tie, but the Surrey doubles pair were too strong and Sussex lost their semi 3-1. Some comfort was offered in that Surrey went on to win the final.
On Sunday afternoon, Sussex played a consolation match against Kent and made sure that all their players had the chance to play in a rubber and experience some County Cup tennis. Lui scored an impressive singles win and Toby and Oskar won an excellent doubles match to bring the scores level (once again!) at 2-2. A final tie-break shoot out proved a bridge too far for our Saturday specialists, but the tie was played in very sporting spirits.
Sussex boys left determined to challenge for spots in the U14s County Cup squad for next year, and, given the quality of fighting tennis and spirit this weekend, they will all have strong chances of this!
The boys would like to say a huge thank you to Nigel and Keelan who guided them with support and advice throughout the weekend, and also to Gill Anderson for her impeccable refereeing skills. Even though she was, of course, unbiased in her duties, it was great to have a local ref! Thank you also, to Nikki at the Tennis Sussex Office for arranging the kit and the flag! Sussex parents and supporters were undoubtedly the noisiest of the weekend and deserve the award for ‘most likely to create a Davis Cup atmosphere’!
And finally, thank you to the boys themselves. Not only did you give it your all on court when playing, but you also supported your team-mates superbly when they were playing. We hope to see you representing Sussex for many years to come!