11U Boys County Cup Report
The boys went to Stourbridge to play in what, on paper looked a really tight competitive group……and so it proved!
On day 1 we opened against North Wales. 3 of the 4 singles matches went to a 10 point third set decider but we lost all of them!! However, undeterred and demonstrating our counties relative competence at doubles, we managed to win both doubles, including a first ever county cup win for Freddie and Momo as a pair after lots of very near misses previously. Konstantin and William wrapped up their win comprehensively for a 4-2 overall match loss.
Staffs were next up. For a moment it looked like the singles might be about to follow suit as Konstantin at number 4 went into yet another match tiebreak for the team….he even had to save a match point, but he pulled it out and got our singles account up and running. William and Momo followed Konstantin with fantastic straight sets successes and for a while it looked like we might clean up as Freddie played as well as I’ve ever seen him, really solid when necessary and creative when on the front foot at number 1. He couldn’t quite maintain the initiative and ended up on the wrong end of another 3 set loss, but Northants 3-1 up going into the doubles. We needed one rubber to secure the match and played Freddie and Konstantin at second pair to secure a confident win. This left William and Momo at first pair, in the end outgunned, but in a very competitive match. Overall match score 4-2 win!
On day 2 it was all to play for as all the day 1 results had been tight with Lincs probably just looking the strongest.
Derbyshire were first up for us and what a battle that proved to be!
Konstantin had his now expected 3 setter – and got another win on the board. Confidence was up and he was playing with more freedom now.
Alife, who had missed day 1 with a football event, came in at 3 and never quite got to grips with his awkward, very consistent opponent. Momo lost at 2, but Freddie, like Konstantin had his third 3 setter of the weekend, this time getting over the line for a win he was incredibly chuffed about. 2-2 before doubles. Alfie and William came in and maintained our 100% record at number 2 doubles pair for the weekend. Freddie and Momo almost sealed the win but lost in 3, meaning a tiebreak shootout to decide the match which was tied 3 rubbers apiece. Alfie and Freddie stepped up for this one but were unfortunately beaten 10-6.
So on to table toppers Lincs we went. Konstantin in a good groove finally got a more straight forward straight sets win at 4. William played an incredibly attritional match against one of two unbeaten players all weekend. He put everything into it, the match went on forever, with some incredible rallies before William finally succumbed in 3. Momo and Freddie were on fumes as we approached the end of a tough weekend and couldn’t get the required wins on the board to keep slim hopes of a title victory alive. The final doubles saw Alfie and William win the longest match of the weekend after saving several match points. Momo was given a well-earned rest, and left Freddie and Konstantin to finish up albeit with a loss in a very exciting match against the unbeaten Lincs lads. Overall, 4-2 loss against the group winners, no disgrace at all.
The boys got on great all weekend, we had lots of success at doubles, a few wins at singles, resulting in 4 very even matches against the other counties. The boys really did give their all. I don’t think Freddie, Momo or William could have taken another step when we finally finished. I’m sure they all slept well!
Justin Chacksfield, 11U Boys Captain
