The 18U AEGON County Cup took place over 28th February – 2nd March with both the Warwickshire Boys and Girls teams playing in group A and traveling to the University of Bath Tennis Centre, Bath for their cup matches.
Captain Gary Naughton was able to pick from a strong group with some of Warwickshire’s most talented players available for the selection. The team consisted of Joe Ellis, Jamie Gibson, Luke Hammond, Jake Hersey, Luke Oakley, Max Phipps, Mason Recci and Bjorn Thomson. The boys knew that they would be in for a tough couple of days too as in their group was Yorkshire, Essex and Surrey.
Over the course of the three days the boys results were as follows:
Warwickshire 5 – 4 Surrey
Warwickshire 6 – 3 Yorkshire
Warwickshire 6 – 2 Essex
So after a close match against Surrey Warwickshire boys team emphatically beat both Essex and old rivals Yorkshire to be crowned 18U AEGON County Cup Champions 2014. This is the first time in many years that Warwickshire have won this event and massive congratulations must go to captain Gary Naughton and the entire boys’ team. Special mentions should also go to Bjorn Thomson and Joe Ellis too who never lost any of their singles matches throughout the event.
The girls who were captained by Blossomfield’s Claire Williamson were also in action at the University of Bath Tennis Centre for the girls’ event. Warwickshire would face Middlesex, Sussex and Yorkshire in the event so again much like the boys three very though opponents for Warwickshire.
The girls’ team consisted of Tamara Burdiashvili, Ash Foster, Alannah Griffin, Kate Malazonia, Lillian Mould, Maria Pandya, Hannah Porter, Emily Smith and Josie Williamson. The girls results were:
Warwickshire 2 - 7 Middlesex
Warwickshire 2 – 7 Sussex
Warwickshire 0 – 6 Yorkshire
Unfortunately after three exceptionally tough ties Warwickshire girls were relegated from Group A but team captain Claire Williamson was pleased with the excellent attitude and team spirit both on and off the court. I’m sure that the girls will bounce back in 2015 and return to Group A where they belong.
You can see a photo of the boys team here.
You can see a photo of the girls team here.