Tennis
Aces are a smash hit in County Cup

Buy photos » Head coach Matt Thomas with Charley Gregory, Zak Sammons, Arran Trainor, Peter Colbourne and Finlay Smith. (s)

WARWICKSHIRE u10s performed brilliantly to reach the final of the County Cup which took place in Bolton.

The team was made up of Matt Thomas (Solihull), Charley Gregory (Solihull), Zak Sammons (Solihull), Arran Trainor (Coventry), Peter Colbourne (Rugby) and Finlay Smith (Warwick) and after beating Avon and Buckinghamshire they only lost to Yorkshire in the final.

The journey began in the first week of June with the regional qualification event at Loughborough Tennis Club.

The competition was tough with Lincolnshire posing a threat as well as playing against Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire.

After a rain affected weekend Charley and Peter won the deciding doubles 12-10 in the match tiebreak against Lincolnshire, having saved a match point along the way.

Charley got the team off to a great start in the national finals when winning the opening rubber against Avon comfortably before Peter and Zak followed suit.

Arran and Finlay produced an excellent fightback in the doubles, hitting back from 9-6 down in the tiebreak to win 11-9.

Buckinghamshire lay next in wait in the semi-finals and Charley made sure it was another flying start as he won 5-4, 4-0.

Peter then lost a close battle but Zak quickly restored the advantage thanks to a solid performance at number three.

The doubles proved important therefore and Peter and Charley repeated their heroics from qualifying, performing excellently as a pair to control the net in a 4-1, 4-2 victory.

Number one seeds Yorkshire were the opponents in the final the following day, the reigning national champions.

Charley went down 4-2, 4-1 after a long battle which was followed by Peter losing to the same score.

Zak started superbly in taking the first set 5-4, however lost the second 5-3 and a close match on the tiebreak.

Arran and Charley got a point for the team in the doubles but it was not enough to save a 3-1 defeat.

Delighted Head Coach Matt Thomas said: “I think to finish second is a fantastic achievement.

“The team bonded superbly well and I was very impressed with the player’s attitude and commitment shown over the weekend.

“It was great to have the parents with us who provided fantastic support throughout qualifying and the nationals. It was a great experience for the team and I am sure this will make the boys stronger and better players over the coming season.”

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