14 & Under County Cup Sussex Captains report 2015
For me this was my first time captaining a non mini tennis age group. I was excited from the outset. I knew little about the team and they knew little
about me. But roping Martin Reeves in as my Co-Captain, set things up for a fun trip! My Team was: Alex Targett, Alex Hyman, Cameron Waller, Harvey Kilsby, Henry Hughes & Matthew Spencer. They regional qualifier was in Northampton.
The boys had all done their research and were ready for the weekends matches. The sussex boys played exceptionally all weekend dropping 1 rubber. Everyday Martin and I asked the boys for a day nomination for Most Valuable Player. Across the first weekend Alex Targett was chosen as the teams MVP! With an awesome win over Cambridgeshire no.1.
To Nottingham: It was a great feeling to be getting back on the minibus for the 2nd time, none of the team wanted county cup to be over the 1st time
around. We knew approaching Nationals that the boys efforts needed to double if we were to be successful in Nottingham. The level of competition
was a great deal higher than our previous round.
Day 1 vs Dorset. Our first match against Dorset was a fiery one! We went 3-1 up after the singles, but then lost both doubles to go 3-3 in to the shootout. We choose Alex Hyman & Cameron Waller to play the deciding Championship tiebreak. The girls two courts away were in the same situation
and we rustled them up to help get cheer the boys on! The cheering for Sussex was immense the boys sealed the victory 10-6. The boys then headed over to support the girls.
We then had to get straight back on court to play 1st round of singles vs South Wales. At this point the team were already tired. The boys battled hard
but we ended up 4-0 down. It felt like quite easily we could have been 4-0 up, a few points here or there could have quite easily changed things. We left the centre day 1 at 2105 exhausted!
Day 2. After ice baths and loads of stretching the boys came back for the doubles against South Wales feeling fresher and managed to clinch one of
the rubbers. Settling the score 1-5. But we know if we could beat essex we still had a chance! Clinging to hope we moved into the match against Essex
and tied the singles 2-2. After the doubles the score remained a tie at 3-3. Once again sussex into the shootout! Alex Targett and Alex Hyman paired
up this time. Again with the sussex crowd behind them they won 10-4. A great result for the team taking the box decision down to rubbers. Unfortunately with two shootout wins our rubber count was low leaving us in 3rd.
Final Day vs Yorkshire. 5th/6th Playoff. The Boys were happy with how they had been playing and were confident they could beat a strong Yorkshire.
After the singles we were tied 2-2. Alex Hyman played exceptionally in his singles beating UK no. 7 in straight sets 7-6 6-0. Unfortunately on the
doubles court Yorkshire we too strong winning both rubbers.
Nominated everyday for MVP was Alex Hyman who played some brilliant tennis and wining 3 of 4 singles matches for sussex. Well done Al you played
awesome! The team were and absolute pleasure to travel with and Sussex clearly had the best team spirit out of all the teams. Not once did one of the
boys leave the side of the court or stop cheering on the team! Well done boys Martin & I had a great time!!
Jack Palmer