Team: Leyla Ogan , Luisa Cowper, Natasha Hillyer, Celia Fraser, Anjoli Foster, Hanna James, Soumeya Anane, Katie Shaw(captain)
Monday Day 1 Warwickshire v Essex, as it had been so wet, only 3 grass courts were in action and luckily for us we got drawn out to play on grass, even better as I was playing!
1st pair Leyla & Hanna, 2nd pair Natasha & Luisa , 3rd pair Celia & myself.
We managed a clean sweep 9-0, although it wasn't as easy as the overall score suggests. Celia & I (third pair) were a set down & 6-1 down in tie break against their (1st pair) at 7pm at night but just managed to win 6-3 in the 3rd, that turned out to be the biggest come back all week! 9-0 What a start!
Also we didn't think at the beginning of the day that Luisa would play as she got bitten a few days before on her ankle and she had an allergic reaction, so Leyla & luisa & C were all at A&E the previous night till 3 am in the morning, so not the best preparation for following day, but nothing seems to get my players down, they fight on & get on with it.
Tuesday v Kent , the only difference to team was Anjoli came in in as my replacement as I was so so stiff. Luisa & Tash had a loss to 1st pair of Holly Richards & Amanda Cunningham, 3 hour match in such heat , losing 7-6 in 3rdd, it was such a great match and everyone played so well. Celia & Anjoli v 3rds such a crucial match to win, bit nerve racking at times, but they eventually won 6-3 in 3rd, which was fab to give them both confidence for rest of matches. Hanna& Leyla played really well and won very easily. 2-1 up next round another tough match 1v 1s, unfortunately again for Leyla & Hanna couldn’t quite beat them, losing another 3 setter, Celia & Anjoli had a good win beating 2nd pair & so did Luisa & Tash, 4-2 up. Next round went to plan and we won 6-3, finished play at 8 pm, so a very long and draining day for everyone.
Wednesday we played Yorkshire, I kept the team the same, but today we had to play on hard courts which was such a contrast to previous days, balls bouncing around your head and not as easy to put volleys away, but my team adapted well & won match 7-2.
Thursday v Leicester, still on hard courts, Leicester had only picked up 2 rubbers in previous days so we knew this will be easier match, another 9-0 win. The last round Hanna didn’t play so Soumeya got her very 1st summer county match and who best to play with Leyla, full of experience. I'm sure Soumeya would have picked up lots of good tips and Soumeya played great didn't miss a ball. PROMOTED!!!!!!!
Last day a 4pm finish the earliest by far, so off to the beach we went for celebratory team paddle in the sea, Soumeya thought otherwise an went for it! A plunge in the sea much to our amusement.
Last day Friday v Cheshire, we knew we were already Promoted, what a nice position to be in for players and most of all Captain, whilst other counties fighting it out , we only had to win 2 rubbers to be champs of group & Cheshire only had to get 2 to come runners up. Back on grass, Hanna didn't play as her foot was hurting her so Soumeya played with Tash, Leyla & Louis, and same 3rd pair. We finished at 3 matches all, so we were Champions. It was a fabulous week; the weather was a scorcher as so was my team’s performance, great team spirit and many laughs!
Thanks to all of my team for their positive attitude and the week was especially good for Celia, Anjoli & Soumeya to win matches in group 2 which will give them confidence for the next year. Back to Eastbourne where we belong!!!!