The team travelled up to Nottingham on the Monday, consisting of Luke Hammond, Nick Brookes, Pierce Widdecombe, Seb Harris and mysef for the boys. The girls team included Odette Beagrie, Emily Thomas, Annabelle Davis, Jasmine Olds and Alicia Williams. On the Monday afternoon we played a big game of football to warm us up before practicing and getting use to the courts and surroundings. Could be said as a team we had the best professionalism in our preparation. That night it was Nandos for dinner before going back to our accommodation and playing table tennis and pool before a huge game of Mafia.

Tuesday was the first day of Matches, with the boys competing against Queen Elizabeth school and the girls up against Sevenoaks school, myself, Pierce and Nick all played and won 4-0 4-0 whilst Jaz was still battling it out and eventually the third 16—14 after being too solid for the other girl. Up next and at one for the boys was Luke, having a tougher match than the rest of the boys winning 5-3 4-2 playing some good tennis and getting us through to the quarter final. Annabelle was playing at three for the girls and played some high level tennis winning 4-0 5-3. With the girls looking good at 2-0 up, the Sevenoaks number 2 needed some inspiration, and it looked like she had found some, winning 4-2 4-1 against Emily, who put up a fight with some good tennis. Next to put things back on track was Detty at 1, after a nervy start and dropping the first set on a tiebreak, it was one way traffic from then on, winning the second only dropping one game and then playing an unbelievable tiebreak, winning it 10-2. After the singled the girls were 3-1 up heading into the doubles, needing just one win out of the two to win the tie and move into the quarter-finals. Jaz and Annabelle won their doubles comfortably, dropping only the one game. At the end of the day for tennis we had the afternoon and evening to do some team activities and relax, this involved getting the tram into town and playing a game of crazy golf. A huge shout out to Seb Harris who showed some composure around the course to get the win before having a team meal at Wagamamas.

Day two brought the boys and girls looking for a place into the quarter-finals. The boys having an earlier start meant that Pierce and I were up first to set the standard for the day. With myself winning 6-0 6-1, put us into a 1-0 lead, whilst Pierce was quickly to follow with a win beside me winning 6-1 6-3, playing some good tennis. Next up was Brookes who also played some good tennis and got the win 6-3 6-2. Meaning if Hammond won we would be in the semi-finals. He won the first set 7-6, which was a very high level, and then losing the second set 6-1 to Josh Goodger from Cheam. What followed was a tense tiebreak, with Luke being behind the whole way before the final points taking the win 10-8 and progressing us into the semi-final. Meanwhile inside, Jaz and Annabelle were up first. However both having some tough matches with Jaz losing 6-4 6-3 and Annabelle going down 6-3 6-2. Being 2-0 going into 1 and 2 singles, there was still a lot of positive vibes in the team. Emily lost the first set 6-1 whilst detty was 6-2, with still a lot to be played for in this match. With Detty winning the second set to claim the match it looked like there had been a momentum switch in the tie, with Emily being a set and 5-1 down to coming back to 5-5, but sadly couldn't quite go that extra bit further., with credit to the Culford number 2 sticking in there. Again Jaz and Annabelle went on for the doubles needing a win this time, However, it wasn’t to be playing against a good pair losing 6-1 6-1 meaning the girls were now playing for 5-8th position. This was the evening of the teams meal and quiz, after having a good BBQ there was a quiz about many subjects, sadly we didn't come close to winning it, but it's not always about the outcome.

The next day had come and it was a huge day for the boys, up against last years champions Reeds. Up first again was myself and Pierce. I was the first match completed, however with it not going to plan, losing 6-3 6-2 to a player who was very solid. Pierce was in a huge battle in the court beside and edging it at the end of both sets to win 7-6 7-6, this took it to 1-1 in rubbers before Brookesy stepped up once again getting the win 6-3 6-2, Whilst Hammond was into another third set once again on the next court. Again this tiebreak going the distance with Hammond coming very close but losing it 10-8. Going into the doubles it was very tense. Myself and Pierce went on before the other boys and struggled to get it going,

losing 6-3 6-3. As we finished the rain started to come prone whilst Luke and Nick were trying to serve out the match in the their doubles. This mean it was going to be completed inside, after a nervy wait for some they managed to get the job done meaning it would be a shoot-out. Up stepped Nick and Pierce, with both teams serving well to take it to 5-5, and then Reeds made some returns to feet making it difficult for the boys, who went down 10-5 after putting up a good fight. For the girls it was a match against Wimslow, with Alicia stepping up in her match of the tournament, and what a match it was. Winning 6-4 3-6 12-10, as well as Annabelle getting the job done 6-3 6-0. Next up was Emily who came up against another tough opponent, who got the better of her 6-2 6-2, Detty got a walkover at number one, who was injured, or may have been fearing the Detty Beagrie forehand. Both pairs won the doubles 6-3 6-2, getting the win and moving the girls into the 5-6th play off. This evening was a more chilled out evening, having another Nando's and ready for the last day of matches

The last day was another good day for the team. The boys against Merchiston and the girls against Eastbourne. Pierce and Jaz were up first, with Jaz getting the first win of the day, not dropping a game, Pierce also got the win 10-6 in the tiebreak, both teams being one rubber up. Next up was myself, losing 10-7 in the tiebreak, struggling to get going, with the opponent making it difficult. At three there was another convincing victory with Emily winning 4-0 4-2. For the boys next it was Nick Brookes, with not many breaks of serve in the match and him eventually winning 6-4 7-6. Next for the boys was Luke, who lost the first set, but stayed in there and won it on a tiebreak 10-8. At number one for the girls was Detty who didn't drop a game and confirmed the girls finish at a very good 5th position. For the boys it was just one doubles that would be needed and me and Pierce got that rubber, winning 6-3 6-2, confirming a final position of 3rd. A good effort from the team over the week, and a special thank you to the coaches of Dan, Nick and Kate and to the two captains Nick and Jaz.

Matt Carroll