Cornwall U17s travelled to Gloucester on Sunday 18th through snow and wind to arrive for a 12 midday South West Counties U17 match against Gloucs.
The Team were looking to gain their first win of the season and on the back of a strong performance against Dorset just before Christmas were ready for the challenge.
The team welcomed two debutants in Imogen Powell returning to the county scene after a 3 month injury layoff and David Collard who after two inspired performances in the recent Kerrier Junior Tournament and last weekends county championships gained his first ever start for the Duchy.
Team ;
Ross Lashbrook Launceston College
Patrick Davis Launceston College
Phil Lyle (Capt) Launceston College
Huw Vicary Truro College
James Payne Callington School
David Collard Callington College
Bronwen Wotton (Capt) Truro College
Lorna Garbett Callington College
Sofia Ziajka Callington College
Imogen Powell Truro School
Bethany Wotton Hayle School
Daphne Luke Mounts Bay School
Eve Robertson Callington School
The match started with 5 games of singles Ross taking on Jake Wyatt at number one. Jake a top flight player being ranked no 4 in the country at the end of the 2007/8 season.Ross fought well but was overpowered by fantastic forehand and backhand smashes and alround racket skills. Score 21-15 21-12 to Jake.
In the boys Huw had a brillaint win at number 4 coming from behind to win in 3 ends.David was inspirational in his singles at number 6 wearing his opponent down and taking his first county match in two ends.
The girls were a revelation all 6 players winning with notable wins by Lorna at number 2,Imogen winning at 3 on her return to the fold,Bethany winning her first singles match of the season at 4 and Daphne making it two wins from her last two singles matches.Eve continued her great performance against Dorset with a strong win in two ends at 6.
Score singles Cornwall 8-Gloucs 4.
In the doubles the girls led the line with three wins for Bronwen and Lorna and two a piece for Beth and Imogen and Sofia and Daphne.
The boys took 5 games with a great 3 ender at number one with Ross and Patrick running Wyatt and partner very close.James partnering his school friend David won well at number 3 and took the number two Gloucs pair to three close end. Phil and Huw saved two match points in their match against the number two pair and ran out winners in the third end,winning two of their three matches.
Score doubles Cornwall 12 Glous 6.
With victory assured the Duchy turned on the style in the mixed.
The boys taking the attack to the opposition with wins by Lorna and James at two,Beth and Patrick at 3, Eve and Huw at 5 and Daphne and David at 6 all in two ends. Sofia and Phil narrowly missed out at 4 going down 21-19 21-19.
The final match was a facinating high quality battle between Ross and Bron against Wyatt and Mills. Wyatt turned on the pressure bringing out the best in all players. Gloucs took the first end 27-25. In the second end the county champions took the attack to the opposition with tight net play and patient rallies.The pressure mounted but took the second end 22-20.
The match was entralling for all spectators as both sets of players sat and watched the match unfold. In the final end the Duchy changed 11-10 up and at 14-14 took a lead which they held after some nerve racking rallies.
The final end going their way 21-14.
A great game to finish off a well fought match.
The game was high on sportsmanship on both sides.
This win puts the Duchy back on track to move up the South West Counties Table in their remaining fixtures.Their next match is against Wiltshire in 4 weeks time.
Final Score 25-11.
T/Managers. Lester Lashbrook/ Jon Wotton.
