March 6, 2024

18U Girls Captains' Report

The girls travelled to Edgbaston for 18U county cup this year with the team largely unchanged and hoping to secure another year in Division 3.

Friday saw us face the hosts Warwickshire on home turf, Charlotte, Ava and Naomi were first up and despite some very long games were unable to get the first win of the weekend. Rebeka played a great match and won 6/3 6/1 to start the fight back with the score 1-3 after 4 rubbers. Both Sophie and Mia faced tough opponents and despite their best efforts and some fabulous point by point battles came up just short. Heading into the doubles the battles continued, Rebeka and Sophie were just pushed out losing 13-11 in the 3rd Set match tiebreak… the agony! Whilst living through that drama on the next court Naomi and Mia were playing some great tennis at number 1 pair, unfortunately due to a severe nosebleed we had to withdraw from the match whilst ahead to seek medical attention. Despite our best efforts things just didn’t go our way and we finished the day 1-8 with lots to do for the rest of the weekend.

Day 2 saw the arrival of Isabella and Lisa which certainly lifted the teams spirits and decibel levels. We faced a strong Dorset side who had won comfortably the day before. Naomi back to full fitness and playing at 6 lost 6/4 6/2 whilst Bella and Lisa making their first appearance of the weekend both had epic 3 hour 3 set battles, both matches could of gone either way but unfortunately for us we came up just short losing both in a close 3rd set. Not to be deterred Mia, Sophie and Rebeka ventured on court with purpose. Mia dispatched of her opponent winning 6/1 7/5 and got us off the mark. Sophie played some fantastic tennis to take the first set, but a great fightback from her opponent took it to three. The momentum shifted forwards and backwards throughout the 3rd set and went to a tie break. Despite some great tennis Dorset took the match 7/4 in the final set tiebreak. 5-1 down after the singles meant we were unable to fight for the win but we knew that the rubbers would be equally important on the final day. Mia teamed up with Lisa, Sophie and Rebeka continued their partnership and Naomi and Bella played 3rd pair. The drama continued and we had another 2 x 3 set battles this time going our way with Mia and Lisa winning 10/5 in the match tiebreak and Sophie and Rebeka getting revenge from the previous day winning 10/4 match tie break. Naomi and Bella faced some strong experienced opponents losing out 6/3 6/2. We finished the day having battled for every single point however with a 6-3 loss and with Buckinghamshire beating Warwickshire we needed everything to go our way on the final day to keep our place in the division.

Day 3 saw Naomi storm into the lead at 6, taking the first set 6/4 and leading 5-4 in the second, however some solid match play from her opponent saw the second set slip 5/7 and Bucks took the final set 6/0. Bella went down at 5 to go 2 rubbers down but Lisa played some great aggressive tennis to take her match in a tight 3 setter. Sophie again was on court for over 2 hours before losing a great battle 6/4, 5/7, 4/6. Mia was on fine form hitting solidly to win without losing a game. Already relegated the girls dug in for the doubles with wins from Mia and Lisa 6/4,6/4 and Sophie continuing her epic amount of match play in a 3 set shoot out with Rebeka that sadly went to Bucks 5/10 in the match tie break.

A disappointing result for the girls but it could definitely have been a different story. Lots to look forward to with quite a young team so we go again next year in Division 4. A real opportunity to grow as a squad over the next few years and form strong partnerships and improve over the next 12 months.

As always, it’s a privilege to represent Nottinghamshire at all levels, and to wear the flag with pride.

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