The South Wales men’s County Cup tennis team has won promotion to the sport’s top division for the first time in 10 years.
The team, under captain Chris Lewis of Neath, beat North of Scotland 9-0, Yorkshire 7-2, Suffolk 7-2, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight 5-4 to win the group 2 tournament in Cromer.
Their only defeat, 5-4 to Warwickshire, came after they had already secured promotion. They will play in the top-level group 1 in Eastbourne next year.
“It was a fantastic effort from the team,” said Lewis. “Especially worthy of a mention are Josh Milton, our only current professional in the team, and Jordan Helyer, who played together all week and won all 15 of their matches. This is very rarely achieved, especially in the higher groups.
“The highlight of the week for me was that we were 4-2 down against Hampshire on the Thursday and needed all three matches in the final round to gain victory and promotion. Carrying a couple of injuries we managed to do it and gain promotion in style. It was one of the best efforts I've seen from a South Wales team in my time as a part of the team.”
The team comprised: Chris Lewis (captain), Neath; Josh Milton, Cardiff; Craig Evans, Glynneath; Jordan Helyer, Cardiff; Nick Rees, Swansea; Craig Ingham, Swansea; James Hignett, Cardiff; Rhodri Vaughan, Pontypool; James Griffin, Cardiff.
In their competition, South Wales ladies beat Dorset 9-0, but lost to Sussex 5-4, Norfolk 8-1, Berkshire 5-4, and East of Scotland 5-1, to be relegated to group 4.
The ladies team comprised: Melissa Griffiths (captain), Francesca Lewis, Hayley Story, Alicia Goulding, Amy Lieu, Becca Strelzyn, Cara Miles, Becky Llewellyn, Kimberley Webb, Meryl Bird.