Singles
We had eleven players enter the tournament from 5 different schools. Winners and runners up of the groups would go into the group above. In the first group of four players there was only a seven points difference between all the players. As the girls settled into playing, the rallies became longer. The last match of the group, Alice v Erin would decide who would go through as group winner. It was a close contest, both players have improved especially with their ability to return serve. In the end Alice came through 6-3.
The first match of Group 2 between Isabella v Alice was an amazing match. Playing first to 8 games, it went game for game until 6-6 with both girls hitting some good length serves and Alice in particular some nice shots into the corners. Eventually, Isabella pulled through making slightly fewer errors than Alice just in the last two games plus 3 shots into the Dedans! Isabella then had to play Erin which was another close match with lots of deuces. The final match, Erin v Alice was yet another tight game with Alice coming through 8-5 through tighter shots hit into the corners of the court.
Isabella and Alice joined Clemmie and Martha in Group 3. The first match featured Martha against Clemmie. Martha stormed into a 3-0 lead with some strong overarm serving and although Clemmie managed to win the fourth game, Martha proved just too strong winning the match 6-1. Martha then went on to just concede a total of 3 games against her two remaining opponents – her strength of shot together with a glorious double-handed backhand proving just too much for them. Martha proceeded into Group 4 as the winner.
Martha joined Katherine, Georgia and Lydia in Group 4. Just as Martha had achieved in Group 3, Katherine dominated this Group by winning all her matches conceding just 4 games. The scores certainly didn’t reflect the closeness of the games, all girls demonstrating excellent volleying skills along with cut shots into the corners. The improvement they have all made since last year was clearly evident. The runner-up of the Group was Lydia which meant she progressed into the final with Katherine.
The final was an eight-game set between Katherine and Lydia. Katherine started out the stronger going 40-15 up. Lydia then laid a chase of better than one-yard which Katherine couldn’t beat, making it 30-40. Unfortunately, Lydia lost the next point giving the game to Katherine. In the second game, Katherine surprisingly made hard work of it by doing two double faults, one when defending a chase of better than 6. This game went to 40 all and one point which Lydia took, making it 1-1. Both girls were hitting the ball at a good pace into the corners and served and volleyed well but it was Katherine who went on to take the match 8-1. An excellent final which again didn’t reflect the closeness of the games!
Doubles
In the first of our group matches Martha and Isabella took on the experienced Lydia and Katherine. Martha and Isabella hit some lovely volleys and Martha hit some excellent serves but Lydia and Katherine would come back with a great length shot winning 8-0. Martha and Isabella then proved much too strong and consistent for Alice and Diya winning 8-0. Alice and Diya then had to play the might of Lydia and Katherine. They came second but this time they got a game. All played in a great spirit.
To the final. Had Isabella and Martha learnt from their first encounter with Lydia and Katherine. It was an excellent and entertaining match. Isabella and Martha were much more aggressive and attacking on this occasion which caused more mistakes to come from Lydia and Katherine. However, Lydia and Katherine are extremely good at returning the ball to a great length and width off any loose serve, consequently gaining good chases and keeping the serving end. The final score was 8-3 to Lydia and Katherine.
A big thank you to Dan and Adam for marking the matches and to Wellington for hosting the competition and for supplying the prizes and delicious sandwiches. Our thanks also to Alex and Jill for overseeing the competition and to The Dedanists’ Society for jointly sponsoring the competition with the LRTA.
Jill Newby and Alex Garside