Junior Team Match 17/12/16

Hexham’s first game of the day was against Washington and Hexham started well with two 3-0 wins for both Sol Christopher and Olivia Satow. Next on court was Max Dolan pitted against the hard hitting Olivia Steason and Max lost the first two games before changing his tactics with some winning drop shots and took the next two games to level it 2/2. The last game was very tight and Max seemed to be in control and had the momentum but Olivia dug deep and pulled it back to 10/10 before wining the final point and posting the first victory for Washington. Next on court was Josie Burdon who came up against an in-form Sam Sweeney. Josie started well but narrowly missed out on the first game 11/7. Sam was getting into his stride playing some lovely lengths and was also disguising his shots very well. Josie lost the next 11/2 and whilst was able to put up a closer contest in the third game but lost this 11/8. This levelled the match at 2-2 and last on court was Luke Radley who started well but was unable to win the first game losing 11/6. The form was with his opponent who closed out the next two games giving the tie to his opponent and the match to Washington 2-3

Next up for Hexham was Tynemouth. First off was Sol, in what turned out to be a close match, winning the first two games 11/9 and 11/10. Ben King from Tynemouth dug in and just pipped Sol in the next game 10/11 but Sol came back strong in the 4th winning 11/8 giving Hexham the first point. On the adjacent court Olivia Satow was facing Steven Bathgate whom she had previously lost to in the Dunlop Challenge quickly found herself 0-2 down but Olivia regained her composure and managed to take the next two games levelling the score at 2-2. In a nail biting 5th Olivia just pipped Steven 11/9 giving Hexham a 2-0 lead overall. Max was on court next and was up against Emily King who represents Northumberland at GU13 level. Max was again a little slow to start in the first losing this just 11/9. Max regained the momentum and ultimately proved too strong for Emily winning 3-1 overall and handing overall victory to Tynemouth.. Being number 1 seed often means coming up against the cream of the cream and yet again Josie was up against Lewis Cruz and quickly found herself 2-0 down. Josie dug in and came very close to winning the 3rd but narrowly missed out 9/11. This gave Tynemouth their first point. Last on court was Luke Radley who was up against a regular foe in the form of Charlie Took. Luke seemed to have the upper hand initially and took a 2-0 lead in a close fought game. Charlie came back strong and took the next two games levelling the tie. The tie was swinging one way and then the other but Luke just managed to pip Charlie taking the tie 3-2 and give an overall match to Hexham 4-1