12U Girls County Cup Report
Although we were only able to take 4 girls due to unavailability, other commitments and sickness at the last minute, the girl’s team of Anaiya Gupta, Isabella Barker, Manami Bowditch and Megann Coliof travelled to Grantham in good spirits and were determined to represent the County with pride.
The Cambs team had two players in the 11 and under age group and one only still 10 years old, so we did look a little small in stature compared to some of the other teams – but big in heart!
Cambs were in Playoff Group 1a with the Counties of Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire, East of Scotland, Yorkshire and Durham and Cleveland. The group was divided into two subgroups and Cambs had Warwickshire and Notts in their group and then wherever you finished in your group you played the opposite number from the other group with the winning County overall progressing through to the finals.
Cambs only had one match on the Saturday and were up against Warwickshire. The format was four singles of FAST 4 and then two doubles matches and if there was a tie the overall match was decided by a doubles shoot out tie break to 10 points.
The numbers 4 and 3 started the match off followed by numbers 2 and 1. First up on the Saturday at number 4 was Megann against Ava Candappa and Manami against Anya Cooner. The girls played on artificial clay and were a little wary of their movement on this initially – mind over matter though! Megann had a tough match against an opponent who made her work really hard but in her true grit and determination came out a 4/2, 4/2 winner with some feisty play. Manami cruised through the first set 4/0 and next game and then made a few unforced errors and was suddenly 2/1 down. Although she pulled back to 3/2 up she lost the next game on a bad call and was suddenly in a tiebreak where she lost her way a little and lost this 3/7. After a little chat she got back on track and played a solid match tiebreak which she won 10/3 giving Cambs a great 2/0 start.
Next up was Isabella against Elsie Washbourne. This was a competitive match but Isabella ended up on the wrong side of some good tennis 3/4 (5 in the tiebreak) and then 2/4. There were slightly too many unforced errors on key points. This meant a win from Anaiya was needed to keep ahead after the singles. Anaiya played a solid match and won 4/1, 4/2 against Esther Sun. So, with the singles all finished Cambs were 3/1 up. In the doubles pairings we played our one and two and then three and four. Isabella and Anaiya made a really good pair with some excellent teamwork and beat Esther and Elsie 4/0, 4/0 very convincingly. Manami and Megann were also a great combination and beat Ava and Elise Graham 4/1, 4/1 to end the day with a good 5/1 win. The girls all played some really good doubles which was a pleasure to watch.
On day 2 Cambs were up against tough opposition in Nottinghamshire and looking at the players we needed to try and win lower down the order as they had a strong top end. Megann was first up against Sofia Walton in a highly competitive match which went to a tiebreak in the first set where Megann raised her game and took this 4/3. Having got the first set with aggressive but consistent play she won the second set comfortably 4/0. Meanwhile Manami was playing on the adjoining court against Lucy Perry. Unfortunately, Manami struggled moving on the clay and found her opponent too consistent and lost 0/4, 0/4. Had she got a couple of games early on l think she would have grown in confidence and this match would have been much closer. Anaiya and Isabella played on the courts behind the centre at the same time so there was a lot of toing and froing to keep abreast with all the matches. Anaiya although she fought hard was outplayed by Evie Pritchard 4/0, 4/1. Isabella had a very good first set against Clementine Rennoldson which went to a tiebreak but she unfortunately lost this 3/4 (5 in the tiebreak) and then her opponent gained in confidence and won the second set 4/0. So overall after the singles Cambs were 1/3 down and needing to win both doubles to stay in the tie. We kept the same pairings as in the previous match. Isabella and Anaiya had a tough battle against Evie and Sofia and went down 4/1, 4/0 but the pairing of Manami and Megann played very well again combining beautifully against Lucy and Clementine to win 4/1, 4/2 and so the match ended 4/2 to Notts.
This meant Cambs were then playing for the third and fourth position against Yorkshire. Megann and Manami started the match off again. Megann got the team off to a flying start with a 4/0, 4/0 won against Molly Dear and then Manami played a much better match against Isabella Asmussen and feeling more comfortable on the artificial clay and moving better she won 4/2, 4/1 to give Cambs a 2/0 lead. The top two Yorkshire girls were strong. Isabella had a good second set against Sylvie Nichols but lost over all 0/4, 3/4 (4 in the tiebreak) while Aniaya played the very hard hitting Emmanuella Idemudia (twice her size) who could hit winners from all over the court. Despite some good tactical play and use of the slice and drop shot Anaiya lost 1/4, 2/4. The match was finally poised after the singles and with the same doubles pairings it looked as if it would be 3 rubbers each at the end of the doubles. The heavens then opened and most of the rest of the day was played in the rain. Manami and Megann did their job beating Isabella and Molly 4/2, 4/0 with some very solid and tactically good doubles. Anaiya and Isabella lost the first set 0/4 to Emmanuella and Sylvie and then reset and came back superbly in the second set to take this 4/2 and so the match went into a match tiebreak. Anaiya and Isabella played really well to get 5/1, and then 6/3, and 8/6 up and then had a match point at 9/8 but then made a couple of errors and sadly lost it 9/11. So, there we were in a final doubles shoot out to see who was third and who fourth.
Up stepped Megann and Anaiya for the shoot out – all psyched up for this. They got off to a great start and worked the points well to lead 6/1 but Yorkshire came back and the match was level at 8/8 and then 9/8 to Cambs but a missed return meant it went to 9/9 and then 9/10 down (help) but Aniaya played a great point to level at 10 all and then Cambs went 11/10 up and managed to clinch the tie when Yorkshire double faulted – great win for the team.
A very worthy third place and very well done to all the team who represented the County with pride. A special mention for Megann who won all 6 of her matches.
Thanks to all the parental support and for Anamaya coming to support on Sunday – much appreciated.
Captain Sue Rich was very proud of the team and how they all worked together especially with some great doubles.
