Report

This was a great day for Herts Boys under 13's.  In the first leg, we narrowly lost to Sussex though won on games.  The word out was that Hampshire had a very strong team which beat Essex 2 in the first leg.  It therefore seems unlikely Herts would be able to win.

However, having beaten Essex 2 in the second leg, there seemed a glimmer of hope, but only in the unlikely event that Essex 2 were to beat Sussex.  Our boys courageously battled on and at about 18:30, Joe Richards commenced his battle with Ben Roderick.  Joe lost the first two games but owing to his enormous courage and determination, he managed to come back to 2-all.  Enthralled that I was with this last match, I was not aware how important this last game would be (Essex 2 had beaten Hampshire) though the size of the audience should have told me!  At around 55 minutes after the start of this match, Joe clinched the fifth set 10-9, sending us to Manchester in May.

This was a true team effort, both on and off the court.  The boys all played their hearts out and I congratulate them and also thank parents for their support.

We were not even up to full strength, missing Phil Waller, which is encouraging for the championships in Manchester later this year.

John Dixon

Attached is a summary of the results.

HERTS V SUSSEX

Tim Dixon                    v          Sam Wilmott               3 – 0

Nicholas Mulvey          v          Ryan Whiteley             1 – 3               

Joe Richards               v          Daniel Vinten               3 – 1               

Louis Drakes               v          Henry Geal                  2 – 3               

Sam Wilson                v          Alex Dawson               2 – 3               

HERTS V ESSEX II

Tim Dixon                    v          Alex Lemon                 3 – 1               

Nicholas Mulvey          v          Oliver Horton               3 – 1               

Joe Richards               v          Matthew Mullen           3 – 1               

Louis Drakes               v          Adam Shamil              1 – 3               

Nathan Derrick            v          Ross Brown                0 – 3               

HERTS V HAMPSHIRE

Tim Dixon                    v          James Brehaut           0 – 3               

Nicholas Mulvey          v          Chris Ozard                1 – 3               

Joe Richards               v          Ben Roderick              3 – 2               

Louis Drakes               v          Ben Crowcroft             3 – 1               

Sam Wilson                v          Michael Barn               3 – 2                 

COUNTY                        TIES WON                    POINTS

HERTFORDSHIRE               2                                  42

ESSEX II                                 1                                  34

SUSSEX                                 2                                  34

HAMPSHIRE                          1                                  34