British Tennis - Lawn Tennis Association

Somerset, fresh off their summer county week promotion, arrived at home in Taunton to compete in Men’s group 5b. Having been relegated last year the squad were pleased to bring in young debutant Sam Edwards, the U18 county champion amongst several of the more experience campaigners. Somerset, missing players who are studying at American University began brightly at positions 5 and 6.

Cheddar’s Richard Fay, fresh from the city trading floors, led the charge with a typically hard fought 7-6 7-6 win against Beds number 5 Mark O’Keefe. Richard ‘Dickie’ Fay played a tactically superb match to outsmart his opponent from the back of the court. Meanwhile Wells player Alex Hudson started brightly against Beds 6 but eventually lost 6-4 6-2. Debutant Sam Edwards came out slowly against Beds number 4 Robert Stean before working things out and winning the 2nd and 3rd sets 6-0 6-1.

Experienced campaigner James Pankhurst was out next showing all his class and guile to beat Ian Graham 6-2 6-4. Hurst excelled particularly of the backhand wing striking the ball with real class both cross court and down the line.  Bedfordshire, strong at the top of the order, pulled out Marc Beckles against Brean’s finest Craig Phillips. In a heavyweight tie, the players traded blow for blow, with Beckles eventually prevailing 6-4 6-2. Debutant captain Deem, turning out a number 1 for the first time, put up a good effort against Beds number 1 Jamie Evans but succumbed 6-2 6-2.

Tied at 3-3 in the singles and heading into the doubles Somerset were confident that they could take the rubbers required. 3rd pair Alex Hudson and Richard Stock put in a lot of effort into a nervy match eventually losing 6-4 7-6. Phillips and Pankhurst, at 2nd Pair faced up against Beckles and O’Keefe. After being edged out in the first, they fought back to take the second, but couldn’t quite get over the finish line losing the third set Championship tiebreak. Meanwhile, captain Deem and debutant effort gave the number Beds pair a scare in the first having set point at 5-4, before eventually being gunned down in the tiebreak. They couldn’t quite reach the same height in the second set going 6-1.

Mitchell, fresh off an exciting year travelling the world playing junior ITF’s, sat out day 1 due to injury recovery but was clearly champing on the bit to get out and play for Somerset for the rest of the weekend. It was a tough first day for home side Somerset, but there are lots of positives to take into the weekend.

Find full results of Day 1 in Group 5b

Squad: Richard Gabb (Street), James Deem (Wellington), Toby Mitchell (Burnham – On – Sea), Craig Phillips (Brean), James Pankhurst (Yeovil), Sam Edwards (Wells), Richard Fay (Cheddar), Anthony Hudson (Wells), Alex Hudson (Wells), Richard Stock (Taunton).