WH Ladies National Finals - match report

Posted on 23rd Sep 2022

 

May we start this piece by saying a big thank you to Jane Bingham who after 20+ years of involvement in team tennis, has stepped down from her role as captain.  Best of luck to Amelia and Annie who are the new joint captain's.

 

Team Report by Jane

 

West Hants women's team won the South West Region of National Team Tennis again this year, resulting in a trip to the Finals, hosted at our Club.

 

Our fabulous team consisted of current academy players and some returning Alumni.

 

Lauryn  (LJ) played for us 5 years ago when we achieved our highest ever 2nd place finish. Having completed her degree in Arizona State, where she twice earned All-American honours (ranked in the top 16 players in US - a phenomenal achievement); she took time out of her professional tennis schedule to represent West Hants. Her best friend and university doubles partner, Sasa also joined the team. Sasa has also played professionally, and is a huge asset to the team. More familiar faces are Amelia  who has played every match this season,  travelling from her home in Liverpool to support the cause.  Annie  who is training at the club with Rob Booth rounded out the top 4 players. 

 

The atmosphere for the tournament was naturally subdued with the announcement that Queen Elizabeth II had died on Thursday. Play was delayed by an hour on Friday morning as well as a 2 minute silence held, as a mark of respect.   The weather, which has been so beautiful all summer,  turned on the event with heavy showers and thunder forcing play from the 9 clay courts to the 4 indoors. Sasa won the first set of her match playing beautiful tennis, then tightened up to lose the second set. Due to court restrictions,  matches were reduced to 2 sets and a match tie-break. Fortunately,  Sasa had the experience and nerves to earn a 10-6 victory. Annie was up next, and was simply outplayed by an inspired junior. Amelia responded well to losing her first set, and battled hard to take the second forcing our 2nd match tie break of the day. Fitness was on Amelia's side, but she fell 10-8. The pressure was on LJ to keep us in the match. Never one to disappoint, she dispatched her world ranked opponent for the loss of a couple of games. The match was tied, it was 6pm, another 4 rounds of singles were scheduled to be on our court before the deciding 2 doubles could be played. We were looking at at least a 4 hour wait, so the referee decided to postpone all doubles to Saturday morning. 

 

After a great night's sleep, and with the sun shining brightly in the sky we returned for the doubles. One win would keep us in the match, 2 wins would seal it. Halton magically produced 2 additional members to their team,both former professional players. This was hugely disappointing for West hants,  but we channelled our energy and focus on the tennis.  LJ and Sasa played at 1 and stormed to the first set. Annie and Amelia,  reeling a little at the strength of the opposition dug in and took the first set to a tie break in just under 80 minutes.  The guts and determination they showed was a credit to them and the team. Unfortunately,  lady luck was with Halton, they took the first set. LJ a d Sasa were in a real battle for set 2, having seen 2 match points come and go, they also were forced into a tie break. At 0-3 captain Jane Bingham was a touch nervous,  but never should she have been. The girls rattled 7 points on the bounce to take the match. Amelia and Annie finally succumbed in the second, and the overall match score was again tied at 3 - all. To decide a winner, the best of 3 match tie breaks had to be played. It's such a nerve-wracking challenge,  and credit to all the team. LJ and Annie stepped up for singles. As with the whole match it was an incredibly tense affair,  LJ scrambled back from 9-4 down, only to lose 10-8, whereas Annie kept her nose in front and held on for a 10-8 win. Now it was down to Sasa and Amelia to play the final breaker. The 10 points ebbed one way then the other, but the experience of the 2 doubles players from Halton was just enough to seal the win 10-7.

 

An excellent match, that we didn't deserve to lose.

 

Onto the backdraw playoff, for 5-8 place. The same team took on old adversary Edgbaston Priory,  and worked them over. Everyone won in straight sets, and we romped to 5th place.

 

Congratulations to our team, you did us proud!

 

We would like to thank Team Sponsor, Peter Harding Wealth Management, for their support!

 

 

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