CORNWALL 22 SOMERSET 14
Cornwalls U17 Team travelled to Crewkerne on Sunday the 5th of February looking to record their first win of the season in the South West League. The players travelled far and wide to represent their County players driving through snow in the early hours from Stoke on Trent and the western most point of the Duchy.
On arrival to their dismay Somerset had only fielded 4 girls out of a minimum requirement of 6. Undeterred the team agreed some changes in player disciplines and went about the task of achieving 19 rubbers to win the tie. The boys led the way under captain Kris Jasper taking a comprehensive win at No1, wins for Jack Dyer, Chris Cooper and Sam Payne making his debut in singles negated the girls losing their 4 singles .Both Jake Brazewell at No2 and Simon Cox at no3 losing narrowly in 3 ends. Georgia Higgs had an exceptional performance at no2 losing in 3 hard ends.
Onto the Boys doubles and 2 wins a piece for Kris and Jake ,and Simon and Jack was a good start. However Chris and Sam achieved 3 wins from 3, winning a nail biting 3 ender against the Somerset no1 pair to clinch the magic 19th rubber. At the same time the girls were performing well and the no3 pairing of Georgia and Alice Sporik went to 3 ends against their opposite no1 opponents. The 18th rubber was clinched by the girls no1 pairing and Capt and Vice Capt of Abi Logg and Hannah Robertson in 3 great ends of badminton seconds before the boys took the 19th. The girls working tirelessly for each other and showing great fortitude in 3 long ends of nail biting rallies.
With victory secured the Duchy moved into the mixed, Kris and Hannah at No1 having an awe inspiring performance and victory against their opponents in 3 ends who had remained undefeated in the South West League for over 2 seasons. Simon and Rachael Collard were very clinical at no2,winning in 2 ends. Chris and Hester Luke worked hard to win in 3 ends at no3,Hester showing great determination, having had a long but successful day at the South West U17 Silver Tournament the day before. Jake and Georgia narrowly lost in 3,and Sam and Alice took their no5 opponents in 3. Ruth Barnicoat from the County U15 Team playing up an age group was very impressive in her mixed working well with Jack, who dominated the rallies. A comfortable win in 2 ends.
Overall score Cornwall 22 Somerset 14.
Player of the match was awarded jointly to Chris Copper and Sam Payne each winning 5 games a 100% record. However every player contributed to the victory, displaying pride ,determination and a willingness to support their team mates throughout a long match which concluded at 6pm.
TEAM
Kris Jasper Launceston College CAPT . Jake Brazewell Newquay Tretherras School. Simon Cox Truro College. Jack Dyer Truro College. Chris Cooper Penryn College. Sam Payne Callington College.
Abi Logg Truro College CAPT. Hester Luke Mounts Bay School .Rachael Collard Callington College. Hannah Robertson Callington College. Georgia Higgs Helston School. Alice Sporik Truro School. Ruth Barnicoat Penryn College
Team Managers ; Sue Cooper/Jon Wotton.
