The U13s were up against a very strong team and lost 1-19. Matthew Vacher was the most successful. He won a tremendous top singles 21-17, fell away a bit in the second losing 12-21 but fought back powerfully and accurately to win the third convincingly 21-14.
Partnering Isabelle Cain in the mixed he lost the first 12-21 but they raised their game and narrowly lost the second 22-24. Matthew developed a good partnership with Lloyd Martin and they fought well in both matches which they lost 10-21, 18-21 and 18-21, 16-21.
The rest of the team (Elliot Wheeler, Paul Hardman, Ellen Liddle, Sophie Ellis and Debbie Lovell) lost their games but they showed great tenacity and never gave up despite the pressure.
The U15s also lost 1-19 though, unfortunately, 10 of the matches had to be conceded. There were still some great games. Daniel Font played particularly well but with varied results. In the mixed he played with Victoria Wheeler, losing 11-21, 13-21. This was Victoria’s most difficult game in her short career and, under extreme pressure, she served well and played some good net shots while Daniel covered every part of the court trying to keep the rallies going to win points. Daniel got his revenge in the singles beating Matt Steel 21-15, 19-21, 21-15 in a close and exciting game. Daniel and Joe Travers lost both of their doubles; 17-21, 21-19, 16-21 in the superb top match and 15-21, 17-21 against Yorkshire’s fitter second pair. Joe, coming back to form, also played well in the second singles but lost 12-21, 9-21. Matt Burrows lost third singles 14-21,10-21 and Dan Hardman lost fourth 8-21, 5-21. Both played their best against such strong opponents; they then played together in the doubles but lost 12-21, 4-21 and 13-21, 13-21.
