This year’s 14U Girls County Cup was held over the weekend of 29th and 30th April in Group 2b at The Weald, Hassocks LTC.

The Team was:  Emma Bebbington, Anna Boron, Evie Pate, Leena Sunil, Anna Lee Young, Elisa Zaman

Team Captains: Fiona Nicholson & Jamie Cheetham

Format : Fast4 (with final set as a match tiebreak.)

Day 1 – Match 1 v Berkshire

Arrived via minibus and with team spirit flowing at midday straight on to play Berkshire (who had just stunned the home side Sussex 4-2).

Emma, Evie and AnnaB all won their singles with just one doubles needed, but both partnerships – Evie /Anna and Emma/AnnaLY closely won giving us a great start to the weekend against a really good side – 5-1 win.

Match 2 v Gloucestershire  

This match was more straight forward. Leena, Emma then Evie won all their matches in straight sets.  AnnaB came across an in form No 1 who didn’t miss any lines!  But she got her revenge with Evie and took the doubles along with Emma/Elisa too.  Another good 5-1 win, although the girls were still playing after 8pm and not checked in to the hotel or eaten an evening meal yet!  So it was a very late team night, after a very hot sunny day.

Day 2 – Match 1 v Oxfordshire

This was a closer match than the score suggests, the girls had to use their fighting spirit with Evie and AnnaLY both winning tiebreaks, whilst Emma had a stonker winning hers without losing a game.  In the doubles both our teams – AnnaB/Evie and Emma/Elisa managed to fight back to win after losing a tiebreak set. Another great 5-1 win, with seven tiebreak sets.

Match 2 v Sussex   1-5 loss 

This match was going to be close as Sussex had been progressing steadily through the event with easy wins.  Unfortunately Evie was the only one to manage a really good win despite everyone’s efforts and 4 missed tiebreaks that just didn’t quite go our way.  This meant that until the doubles we were winning the group, but sadly Sussex just nipped in and snatched it from us on the last 2 tiebreaks..  1-5 loss.

The new format for the 2023 County Cup worked really well.  It meant that all the counties in the group could be competitive rather than the usual top counties trouncing all the others.  It changed the dynamics, friendliness and experience for many more girls in a positive way.

Hampshire & IOW girls played 24 matches over 1 1/2 days, with 16 tiebreaks played.  Many more rallies and some great player development.

Final Result – Hampshire and Isle of Wight 14&U Girls – 2nd place in the Division 2b.

Fiona Nicholson – Team Captain