Captain- Simon Ferguson
Vice Captain- Ryan Bolton
Team- Arran Trainer, Harry Lazell, Charlie Watson, Max Hurtubise, Sam Parsons, Adam Barrett, Sam Palmer and Will Smith
Results
Day 1- Lost to Hertfordshire 3-6
Day 2- Lost to Middlesex 2-7
Day 3- Lost to Cheshire 1-5
Final Position- 4th Place
For match results please visit- https://lta.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draws.aspx?id=8202107C-088C-4AE1-9CD8-C1F29997CC36
Captains Report
Boy’s u18 County Cup Report
Group 2b:
Warwickshire
Hertfordshire
Middlesex
Cheshire
Day 1:
We were drawn to play Hertfordshire on day 1, a strong side, which proved to be as we were 4-2 down after the singles round. Having lost the first 4 singles, we needed Harry and Arran to win to keep us in the tie. Harry Lazell won fighting back from a set down and Arran Trainor with a strong performance to win in straight sets. This gave us a shot of overturning the score in the doubles, probably where our team was strongest. Arran and Max Hurtubise at number 1 pair produced some high-quality tennis to take out their best pair to make it 3-4. Unfortunately, Charlie Watson and Will Smith were unable to win their doubles taking their 3rd pair close in both sets. 3-5. This knocked the stuffing out of Harry and Sam Parsons who had a match point in the 3rd set match tie-break at 10-9 but were downed by a spirited Herts performance. 3-6 Overall.
Day 2:
Because we lost on day 1, we would play the winners from the other tie next, which meant we played Middlesex. The pre group favourites with a strong squad with the majority of their squad ranked inside the top 100. A slight change to the starting line-up at number 6 Sam Palmer made his debut for Warwickshire and applied himself extremely well against a tough opponent. Unfortunately, him, Sam Parsons, Max Hurtubise and Charlie Watson all came up against very strong opponents and we found ourselves in the same position as day 1 at 0-4 with Harry and Arran still to play. Harry got us a win to keep us in it, but Arran was unable to find the breakthrough against tough opponent narrowly losing a tight first set and eventually the match. 1-5 after the singles meant we couldn’t win the tie, but our boys showed a great attitude to try and win the doubles matches. Max and Adam Barrett getting us another rubber at 1st pair. 2-7 Overall.
Day 3:
Do or die today, both Warwickshire and Cheshire had lost their previous tie’s so both teams knew that the winners would stay in Division 2. With the best support on the balcony, the boys on court couldn’t have ask for more. Lot’s of close competitive matches that could have gone either way, but unfortunately, we came up short. 1-5 after the singles, only Harry Lazell able to get a victory for the bears. This meant the tie and group for us was over and we will be in Division 3 next year. The boys showed great team spirit and togetherness throughout the weekend and although the results didn’t go the way we wanted them to the team gave it their all.
Special mention to Arran Trainor, Max Hurtubise, Will Smith and Sam Palmer who all competed in their final Junior County Cup competition this year. Best of luck to you all and hopefully see you in the Men’s team one day.