Heaton under 16 girls qualified to reach the Aegon Premier League Finals at The National Tennis Centre, Roehampton. The girls had played extremely well in their previous matches to allow them to make the finals on the weekend of the 20th and 21st July.
The girls had a tough first round against West Hants on Saturday 20th July. The games were brilliant to watch and at times really tested the girl’s mental and physical toughness of the game.
Although the girls only managed to win 2 of their 6 matches, they showed great gamesmanship and talent for the game.
On Sunday 21st July the girls had to play in playoffs for third and fourth position. Despite the physical and mental strain of the previous day’s matches they approached their games with a positive attitude; motivating each other and working together as a team which put them in good stead to snatch third place.
Due to time constraints the third/fourth titles were indeed decided by a 10 point championship tie break, which was at times difficult to watch. The coach was left to make a brave decision as to who would see the match out and play continued.
The girls were 4-2 down and it looked as though the opponents were on their way to steal the match. Tennis buddies were on form and playing some exceptional tennis. Heaton pairing Serena Nash and Eve Brady stayed focused and played a point at a time, they knew what they had to do to turn the match around. Tennis Heaton to serve and a change of ends; Heaton broke back winning the point on serve- back 4-3. They went on to win the next point with a brilliant return down the line bringing the score back to 4-4. Tennis Heaton gathered momentum hitting on great shot after another.
Soon the score was 6-4 and Tennis Buddies struggled to deal with Heaton storming through in to the lead. With the supporting team members and crowd, grit and determination brought Heaton girls through with a day’s victory of third place!
The game gave the team experience of being on top and having to come back to win. Team work, mental strength and physical effort brought them through.
Well done Tennis Heaton, you deserved it!