Catherine Lawson wins 18U winter county

Q/FINAL 1 – ISABELLA HOLLAND BEAT SAVANNAH SEYMOUR 4-1,4-0
This was a tough match for Savannah who found Isabella’s serve a challenge to return which made it difficult for her to get into the match. Isabella was pleased with her serve and her backhand throughout this match.
Q/FINAL 2 – CATHERINE LAWSON BEAT BEATHA ROPER-RICE 4-2,4-0
Catherine was pleased with the consistency of her serve and this gave her the confidence to play an attacking match – taking an early lead. Beatha found the pressure of many shots to her backhand made it difficult to fight back.
Q/FINAL 3 – ROSE NAESTED BEAT ISOBEL STANDIVAN 1-4,5-3,[10-2] Although only short sets, this match took over an hour as every point was closely fought by both players. Isobel made good use of shot placement to take early control of the match to win the first set 4-1. Rose fought back in the next set by capitalising on a drop in Isobel’s consistency.  Although Isobel broke Rose’s first serve in the deciding tiebreak, Rose frequently played the ball to Isobel’s backhand enabling her to secure the tiebreak 10-2 to win the match.
Q/FINAL 4 – MARY SOUTHGATE BEAT SOPHIE CHEESMAN 4-0,4-1.  Although Sophie was pleased with the speed and control of her backhand, she found Mary’s drop shots a real challenge.  Mary took an attacking role early on in the match and her chance of a win in 2 sets, and her place in the semi-finals was never in doubt.

S/FINAL 1 – CATHERINE LAWSON BEAT ISABELLA HOLLAND 4-0,4-0. Catherine really felt she was hitting through the shots better in this match and Isabella said that Catherine’s power, consistency and shot placement was just too much of a challenge.

S/FINAL 2 – MARY SOUTHGATE BEAT ROSE NAESTED 5-4(3),2-4,[10-5].  A very closely fought match, with long rallies.  Both players were consistent throughout.

CONS S/FINAL 1 – BEATHA ROPER-RICE BEAT SAVANNAH SEYMOUR 4-2,4-0. Savannah was pleased with the general accuracy of her serve and the fact that she scored an ace. She found it difficult to attack as Beatha frequently hit the ball deep into the backhand corner.  After losing the first 2 games of the match Beatha focused on accuracy as opposed to power, taking the next 4 games.  Beatha continued with this approach in the second set and played deeper into the court to maintain the lead.

CONS S/FINAL 2 –ISOBEL STANDIVAN BEAT SOPHIE CHEESMAN 4-0,4-1.  Sophie found Isobel’s cross-court forehand too deep for comfort. Isobel was pleased with the accuracy of her serving and was generally pleased with her performance.

MAIN DRAW FINAL – CATHERINE LAWSON BEAT MARY SOUTHGATE 2-4, 4-1,[10-4]. In the 1st set Mary’s attacking shots were working well.  Catherine felt she played too defensively in the 1st set and attacked more in the 2nd set to take it 4-1.  Catherine managed to maintain the early lead she achieved in the tiebreak, eventually winning it 10-4.

MAIN DRAW 3RD/4TH PLAY OFF – ISABELLA HOLLAND BEAT ROSE NAESTED 5-4(4), 5-4(3).  This 2 set match couldn’t have been much closer with both being decided by a tiebreak.  Isabella’s serve was working well throughout. Rose kept the ball in play waiting for Isabella to make a mistake rather than taking the initiative.

CONSOLATION FINAL – BEATHA ROPER-RICE BEAT ISOBEL STANDIVAN 3-5,4-1,[10-5]
This started off as a very close match with Isobel taking the lead at 3-3 to win the set.  Beatha was frustrated with her first serve but calmed down in the second set to win it convincingly.  Beatha concentrated hard not to become too excited and over hit in the tiebreak which she won 10-5.  Isobel was frustrated that Beatha managed to get everything back.
CONSOLATION 3RD/4TH PLAY OFF – SOPHIE CHEESMAN BEAT SAVANNAH SEYMOUR 4-2,4-3.  Savannah was her most consistent in this match and was pleased with her ability to return Sophie’s powerful ground shots.  Sophie was able to place her shots better in this match and was pleased with her performance.