Team: Leyla Ogan , Luisa Cowper, Alana Griffin, Natasha Hillyer, Louise Latimer, Alice Hopkins, Souemeya Anane, Anjoli Foster, Katie Shaw(captain)
Off again to Eastbourne with 1 new recruit Alana Griffin and a return of Louise Latimer after 6 years being away.
1st day, Monday v Bucks the reigning champs, unfortunately Leyla couldn't play due to work. 1st pair was Tash & Alana, 2nds Luisa & Alice, 3rds Louise & Souemeya , so 3 scratch pairs. Tash & Alana put up a great fight against the formidable pair of Helen Lawson & Claire Webb, unfortunately losing 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, after being a set up an a break at 4/3 in 2nd, but experience played it's part. Louise & Souemeya played great and won 6-4, 7-6, 1st time that they played together. Luisa & Alice got very close to Jemima King & Alex Clark 5-7, 4-6, but we were 2-1 down and a win for Alice & Luisa 6-3, 6-0, now made us 4-2 down. I had to make a substitution bringing Anjoli in for Souemeya as she was struggling with her knee, but unfortunately they lost, my other 2 pairs played yet again great matches but both losing 7-5 in 3rd sets, so a loss of 6-3, shame as it could have been so easily a 5-4 win for us.
Day 2 v Kent and another scorcher of a day. Leyla was back in action with Luisa, playing fantastically well together, Luisa grinding from the baseline with Leyla putting volleys away at the net. A great combination and it showed as they won all 3 matches.
Tash & Alana won 2 matches and Soumeya partnering Alice won 1, so a great day winning 6-3. Then off to the sea for ice bath for the players.
Day 3 v Hertfordshire, who had 2 wins on the trot and boy it's hot again and can you believe no wind whatsoever. We knew it's was going to be a tough match. Leyla & Luisa gave us a great start and I think played their best match of the week, beating Amanda Elliott & Holly Bagshaw 7-5, 6-2, that suddenly kept all the Hertfordshire supporters quiet for a while at least and then Louise & Souemeya beat there 3rd pair in 3 sets, unfortunately Tash & Alana lost 3-6, 5-7. So we were 2-1 up. Leyla & Luisa carried on their good form winning yet again, but unfortunately we lost the other 2 matches, so it was 3 matches all.
It was going to be tough to win all of the final 3 matches, but I definitely thought we could win 2, so I decided to substitute Alice for Alana as I felt Tash & Alana were looking a bit deflated and needed fresh legs and lots of energy moving around at the net. Wow! Fortunately it proved to be a great move as they played so well winning 6.1, 6.1. Louise & Souemeya put up a great fight but just lost, so 4 matches all, and who best to be playing at that score line Luisa & Leyla who won the 1st set against Katherine Baker& Kate Elliott who are a really tough pair and have been playing together for years, it then got very tense, with a tiebreak in the 2nd set, but Luisa & Leyla were not going to be denied with another great win 8-6. Phew I was played every point with them, that was very nerve racking for me as well as them. Hertfordshire were a little lost for words, of course Warwickshire Ladies weren't enjoying their 5-4 WIN.
Day 4 v East Of Scoltland , we actually knew nothing at all about any of players but I knew they were going to be tough by the results they already had. My players played their hearts out but Leyla & Luisa were so drained mentally and physically from their great results the day before with such tough matches which were so intense, they lost their 1st match, but then managed to pick themselves up, finally winning 2.I. I also switched pairs putting Alana with Louise as I thought Alana could learn a lot playing with the more experienced Louise and hopefully get her to realise it's not all about power from the baseline. I hoped it did help Alana and I was pleased to see as she started volleying lots more which gave her more and more confidence at the net. Although we lost 7-2, next year we’ll definatley know more and be a lot wiser to how they play.
Last day v Cheshire who were already relegated, but I thought that they would love to take us down with them and so I knew we had to be on guard. Tash & Alana were back playing together and the difference from when they played together on the 1st 2 days was so noticeable, both played with so much more confidence coming to the net and just moving so much better. Alice & Souemeya were also back together and of course Leyla & Luisa solid as always. Everyone played so very well winning all 3 matches. The next round went to plan , so we were 5-1 up and didn't need to play the final round as we were guaranteed to be safe whilst of course Cheshire were already down, it was great and it was only 1.30pm, as every night we had been finishing at 6pm.
Bucks were Champions & Hertsfordshire runners up. East Of Scotland and Warwickshire all ended up with 3 wins, but unfortunately we came 4th not 3rd in group as it was down to rubbers.
My mind went back to the many years Tamsin Wainwright and me played Warwickshire 1st pair and I must admit I did feel most proud to be part of a wonderful team. It was a Fantastic week, weather was a bit too hot !!! But at least no wind.
Everyone of us got on great, a super bunch of young ladies, all very different in their ways, it was a great team atmosphere, especially in the evenings with Souemeya coming out with all her wacky stories, our girls can you believe swimming in the sea, what laughs we all had.
I would like to thank all of my team for their dedication, hard work and commitment for making the whole week a wonderful experience for us all, Leyla and Luisa winning 10 out of 11 matches together and all of the team who have played so very well.
Katie Shaw