Women's Summer County Cup Report
The Women's Summer County Cup experience was the true definition of ‘down to the last rubber’. The team performed excellently, winning on 4 out of 5 five days, unfortunately, the nail biting 5-4 loss on day one resulted in the ladies finishing 3rd in the group meaning that they will remain in Group 2 for Summer 2025. Despite narrowly missing out on promotion, the squad demonstrated grit and determination throughout the week, the team performed admirably, with several standout efforts highlighting the strength of the team and fuelling the conquest for Group 1 in 2025.
Day 1: Somerset (5-4 Loss)
We kicked off the tournament with what we knew would be a challenging match against Somerset. The matches were hard-fought, with each player giving their all on the court. Amelia Rajecki and Georgia Lawson made a strong start to the week managing to pick up three out of three wins against some strong Somerset opposition. We faced some tough battles, Livvy Tomkins and Mia Wainwright fought hard and were involved in two incredibly close championship tiebreaks. Both tiebreaks could have tipped in either direction however we did unfortunately narrowly miss out on both of these. A very tough and close loss on day one however with some excellent matches played and the grass shoes worn in, the team were ready to bounce back for the Midland derby the following day.
Day 2: Derbyshire (7-2 Win)
The second day brought more tough competition as we faced our neighbours, Derbyshire. Fuelled by the arrival of the new pairing (Freya Christie and Anna Buckley) and the defeat from the previous day, the team were ready to go with renewed energy and focus. The matches were highly competitive, but the ladies showcased their skill and determination losing only 2 rubbers to a strong Derbyshire pairing. This win boosted the teams confidence and marked them as serious contenders for promotion to Division 1.
Day 3: Cheshire (6-3 Win)
On the third day, we encountered Cheshire, a team that had shown two strong performances to start the week. The matches were intense, with our players rising to the occasion. Feeling confident following a smashing win the previous day, the ladies executed flawlessly in the summer heat and took down the undefeated Cheshire 6-3. At the midweek point the pairing of Georgia Lawson and Amelia Rajecki still undefeated, the hopes of joining the ’15-15 Club’ just 2 days away.
Day 4: Avon (5-4 Win)
Day four saw us take on Avon. With two members of the team returning back to Nottingham, the ladies had a jingle round of pairings for day 4 of the competition. The team knew that every match would count in the battle for promotion to division 1 and battle they did. The team played with great energy and focus, eventually securing another key 5-4 win for the team. The day's results kept us in contention for promotion, with one day of play to go.
Day 5: Leicestershire (6-3 Win)
In the final round of matches, we faced Leicestershire, knowing that our position in division 1 was to play for. The team came out strong, with Amelia Rajecki and Livvy Tomkins picking up all three of their rubbers setting the pace for the team. Jessica Spencer and Millie Wileman delivered under pressure, winning a close tiebreaker match that showcased their superb teamwork and determination. The team's efforts paid off and the ladies managed to secure a 6-3 win. Despite an amazing fight and fantastic week of tennis, it came right down to the last rubber. The team finished with the same number of rubbers as Somerset and due to the nail biting loss to them on day one, this meant the team finished in 3rd position. A narrow miss, yet the ladies’ performance was truly outstanding, a testament to the hard work and perseverance of every player.
Conclusion:
The Women's Summer County Cup was a challenging yet rewarding experience. While we did not achieve promotion, the team's performance was marked by determination, skill, and teamwork. Maintaining our position in the division is a significant achievement, and the experiences gained this week will only strengthen us for future competitions. A special mention must go to Amelia Rajecki for winning 15/15 rubbers played, a phenomenal achievement that earns her a place (not achieved by many) in the ’15-15 Club’. She will receive a pair of show court Wimbledon tickets and an invitation to the LTA Cocktail Party - Well Done!!
Georgia Lawson & Livvy Tomkins
