Squad:
Gavin McKinlay
Calum McKinlay
Toby Martin
Barney Smith
Michael Shaw
Lee Tribe
Finn Lester
Calum Fairey
Day 1: Buckinghamshire vs Suffolk (5-4)
Bucks started their campaign this year against a Suffolk side who have spent the majority of the last decade in Group 1. A good test for the squad and a barometer of how the week could go. The men got off to a great start, coming out on the right side of some third set tie breaks to go into the final round of the day at 3-3. Strong pairings of Toby Martin and Calum McKinlay picking up rubbers, with Lee Tribe and Michael Shaw resuming their partnership to pick up one rubber from the first two. Finn Lester was also making his county cup debut for the Swans alongside the experienced Barney Smith, they competed well but came up just short through the day. Bucks managed to get the job done in the last round to take the overall win 5-4.
Day 2: Buckinghamshire vs South Wales (2-7)
South Wales were next on the agenda for the Bucks team, and were the other side to have come down from Group 1 the previous summer. Bucks and South Wales have had some very tight battles over the years, with matches being decided on the tightest of margins. This year was no different, with the rubbers being played representing courant week at its best. Quality, competitive tennis was played throughout with neither side willing to give an inch. South Wales ultimately had too much quality for the Swans this time around, and in a day interrupted by rain they managed to run out 7-2 winners.
Day 3: Buckinghamshire vs Yorkshire (6-3)
Now 1-1 for the week, Buckinghamshire now faced a Yorkshire team on Day 3 and were looking to get their promotion challenge back on track. This was a deal with a real ebb and flow, continually interrupted by rain adding to the mental challenge of playing three rubbers in the day. The day was so on and off with the weather that the match was finished with the final rubbers being played in the short set format on the indoor courts. Bucks ran out comfortable winners on the day, securing the result by the end of the second round. Calum Fairey stepped in for his first rubber of the week in the final round of the day, putting on a strong showing ahead of going to Bath University at the end of the summer.
Day 4: Buckinghamshire vs Essex (5-4)
The Swans had clearly saved some of their best tennis for Day Four, knowing that a win against Essex would mean a chance to play for promotion on the final day of the week. Toby Martin and Calum McKinlay resumed their partnership for the fourth day, Toby playing some of his best tennis in years to spearhead the Bucks charge. Mike and Lee, the consistent and dependable pairing that bucks have come to rely on also delivering alongside Barney and Finn, with Finn having really grown into the week and beginning to play with more confidence. Bucks took charge through the day, playing more aggressive tennis than they had done in previous days to enable consistent breaking of serves.
Day 5: Buckinghamshire vs Warwickshire (1-5)
Both Bucks and Warwickshire had very similar weeks, heading into the day with almost identical results against each county they had played. With their plaice in the division secured, both counties were in a straight shoot out for promotion. The first real opportunity Bucks men have had to reach Division 1 for over 10 years. With the same lineup as previous days, Bucks left it all out on court against a Warwickshire team whose real strength was in their depth, with three very solid pairs to tackle. With a number of breakers not going our way, The Swans came up just short, against a side who played a bit better in the big moments.
Although there was no promotion, Bucks did well to secure their position in Division 2 against some big counties and the week should definitely be looked on as a success. Calum Fairey and Finn Lester equipping themselves as well as they did means a The Swans should be able to keep competing near the top of county week for a few years to come.
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