This year the Ladies’ team was in Group 3 in Raynes Park.
The Team was: Esther Adeshina, Harriet Burley, Freya Davies, Lisa Hanley, Isla Hignett, Lottie Howard, Magda Kornijczuk, Roisin Mullins, Evie Pate
Day 1 vs East of Scotland (8–1)
Hampshire & IOW opened their campaign in emphatic style, taking eight of nine rubbers and setting the tone for the week.
Hanley / Mullins and Hignett / Kornijczuk both delivered straight‑set wins. Davies / Howard dropped a narrow match‑tie‑break in round 1 — the only loss of the day. From round 2 onwards, Hampshire & IOW swept the board, winning five consecutive rubbers with confident, attacking tennis.
Day 2 vs Leicestershire (4–5)
A tight, fiercely contested day where Hampshire & IOW were edged 4–5.
Hanley / Mullins lost a close in round 1 after a tight first‑set tie‑break. Howard / Kornijczuk were unlucky in round 1, losing 8–10 in the breaker. Adeshina / Davies were outstanding, winning all three of their rubbers convincingly. Hanley / Mullins added another win in round 2 .
Leicestershire closed out the final two rubbers to take the match 5–4.
Summary: A narrow defeat decided by two match‑tie‑breaks — but Hampshire & IOW showed real fight.
Day 3 vs Berkshire (5–4)
Hampshire & IOW bounced back immediately, taking a tight 5–4 win.
Davies / Howard opened with a strong straight‑sets win in round 1. Mullins / Pate battled hard, splitting their two rubbers with one win and one loss. Hignett / Kornijczuk delivered two crucial victories in round 2 and 3 both in match‑tie‑breaks. Adeshina / Davies produced another commanding performance in last round.
Summary: A gritty, hard‑earned win built on clutch tie‑break play and squad depth.
Day 4 vs Warwickshire (7–2)
One of Hampshire & IOW’s strongest days of the week, taking seven rubbers with authority.
Hignett / Kornijczuk opened with a composed straight‑sets win. Davies / Hanley won twice, including a tight match‑tie‑break in round 1. Howard / Mullins fought hard but dropped two close rubbers. Hampshire & IOW closed out the day with four straight wins, including a dominant round 3 from Davies / Hanley.
Summary: Confident, composed, and dominant — Hampshire & IOW surged towards promotion.
Day 5 vs Derbyshire (6–3) — Promotion Secured
Hampshire & IOW finished the week in style, sealing promotion with a 6–3 victory.
Howard / Pate delivered one of the matches of the week, winning round 1 in a dramatic 15–13 breaker. Adeshina / Davies were unstoppable, winning two rubbers with commanding scorelines. Hanley / Davies played the last rubber and won easily. Hignett / Kornijczuk fought hard in round 2 but were edged in another tight breaker. Burley / Hignett added a win in round 3 before Derbyshire retired.
Summary: A composed, confident finish — Hampshire & IOW earned promotion with authority.
Final Week Summary: Matches: 4 wins, 1 loss, Rubbers: 30 won, 15 lost, Promotion: Achieved
Standout performers:
Esther Adeshina & Freya Davies — unbeaten across multiple days
Isla Hignett & Magda Kornijczuk — crucial wins in tight moments
Lottie Howard & Evie Pate — clutch tie‑break victories
Lisa Hanley & Roisin Mullins — consistent, reliable scoring throughout
Hampshire & IOW showed depth across the entire squad, resilience in pressure moments, and tactical clarity throughout the week. Their promotion was fully deserved.
Debbie Hale, Team Captain
