Girls:
The girls’ 14U team captained by Claire Williamson consisted of Kate Malazonia, Summer Yardley, Elizabeth Massie, Mhari Tyler, Charlotte Richardson and Charlotte Peckover. The girls had a distance to travel as their route to the finals in Nottingham was going to have to go via the Graves Tennis & Leisure Centre in Sheffield.
The girls arrived in Sheffield and were in Group B along with Northumberland and West of Scotland all hoping to win the group. The group results were as follows:
Warwickshire 6-0 West Of Scotland
Warwickshire 4-2 Northumberland
After two fantastic ties Warwickshire 14U girls ended the day top of group B remaining unbeaten and heading into the final of the qualifying stage where they were to face a very experienced Yorkshire side. The girls performed valiantly with every girl giving 100% effort both on and off the court but unfortunately Yorkshire’s experience paid off with Warwickshire being defeated 5-0 in the final.
However the team atmosphere throughout the event was excellent with team captain Claire being very proud of how the girls performed. The girls were excellent throughout the event and will use all those experiences they gained for next year’s tournament and come back an even stronger team, look out AEGON 14U County Cup 2014!
Boys:
Gary Naughton captained the boy’s 14U squad with Max Stewart, Jake Hersey, Ben Brewster, Charley Gregory, Robert Yates and Joe Ellis being selected. Unlike the girls team the boys had the added advantage of having their matches played at the home of the Warwickshire County Closed, Billesley Indoor Tennis Centre. However would the pressure of being the home team be an advantage or disadvantage to Warwickshire boys reaching the final in Nottingham?
As 2012 defending champions the boys were in Group A for the qualifying stage along with county neighbours Shropshire and North of Scotland. The group results were as follows:
Warwickshire 5 – 1 Shropshire
Warwickshire 5 – 1 North of Scotland
More excellent tennis by the boys’ team earned them a place in the qualifying stage finals and a chance to retain the title in Nottingham. It was going to be a tough match with a very in form East of Scotland team in between Warwickshire and a place in the finals. The boys produced some great tennis and after a very tough tie Warwickshire emerged victorious winning 4-2 and in turn qualifying for the finals in Nottingham.
Finals:
Warwickshire’s boys’ team arrived at Nottingham Tennis Centre and were placed in Group B along with Surrey, West of Scotland and Sussex. The team was identical to that of the qualifying stage, with the group results as follows:
Warwickshire 3 – 3 West of Scotland
Warwickshire 4 – 0 Sussex
Warwickshire 2 – 4 Surrey
After winning the first two group matches the boys’ team’s chances of retaining the title were extinguished by a strong Surrey team leaving Warwickshire’s boy’s playing for 3rd place in the tournament.
The third place playoff would be between Warwickshire and Middlesex. After a good start from Max Stewart taking the first match unfortunately Warwickshire were unable to carry on that good form, battling hard but eventually losing out 4-1. However finishing 4th nationally is still a great achievement from the boys team and team captain Gary Naughton was very pleased with performances over the weekend from all the boys.