There was a wonderful large entry from Wellington College in the tournament with representatives from five other schools. At this level the game is so frequently dominated by whoever gets to serve. In the first group, 12-year-old Zoe Neville (Bohunt School) sailed through the group dropping only one game with an awesome sidewall serve. Moving up to the second group Zoe won two matches but came across Erin Hartman (Hayling College) who was just that more experienced a player and made sure she returned serve to get a chase and hold the serve. Erin winning a very tight match 5-2.
In this next group Erin came through again as group winner having two very well contested matches against Florrie Blackburn (Canford School) and Tabs Bridgeman (Wellington); both Florrie and Tabs showing excellent footwork although inexperience with the varying angles that the game can produce.
The final group became an interesting affair. Riya Bharwad (Cambridge College of Science and Technology) came out of the blocks flying against Rose Kay (Colyton Grammar School) with some awesome spinning serves and beautiful return of serves into the corners, winning 5 – 0. Rose got her timing going in the next match and beat Tabs 5 – 1. Tabs then took on Riya and playing superbly, getting every ball back and volleying beautifully, winning 5 – 3. This left the last match in the group Rose v Erin to decide who would go through to the final. It was a close game even though the score didn’t reflect it, with Erin getting to deuce several times but failing to win the vital point with Rose winning 5 – 0.
So, the final was Rose v Riya. Rose got off to a good 2 -0 start with some lovely volleys. It was soon back to 2 all then 3 all. Rose started creeping ahead 5 – 3, winning a vital game to take her to 6 – 3, getting every ball back and punishing any slightly loose serve to at least chase 3 yards, if not better. Riya couldn’t quite find the super length and spin on her serves that she had used so effectively in their group match. Rose showed great determination in not being put off by her loss to Riya in her group match taking the final two games and the match 8 – 3. This was a really close match won by
Rose rather than lost by Riya, with many games going to deuce and you were not sure of the final outcome until the last point had been won.
The doubles final was a seesaw affair with Welington pair underdogs Tabs and Florence getting off to a cracking start with some super serving and a 2 – 0 lead. Erin and Rose had teamed up and overcame their initial slow start and came back to 2 – 2, then it was 3 – 3. At this point Rose and Erin relaxed a little, played consistently and served to a very good length and marched through to an 8 – 3 win.
In all the groups the players noticeably improved through playing matches.
Our thanks go to the The Dedanists’ Society for sponsoring the tournament, Wellington College for allowing us to play the competition at their school and in particular Simon Roundell who marked the matches throughout the day.
Jill Newby