County Week 2024 Ladies Group 3 – Raynes Park, All England Community Centre
TEAM – Laura Deigman, Alexa Wilson, Millie Day, Aneka Patel, Lauren Armstrong, Anna Micu, Robyn Went, Amelia Barton, Playing Captains Jemima King, Izzy Marshall.
The format is that up to 10 players can be nominated. The event runs over 5 days with Bucks playing a different county each day, with three doubles matches per day per pair. Two substitutes can be added in each day. It is quite a juggle in the week to balance players' work commitments, but we were thankful for a local venue which allowed more players who are working to be able to compete for the county.
Day 1 – Bucks vs Warwickshire 6-3
The team was excited to start the week on the extremely well-manicured grass courts at the All-England Community Centre. The courts were used as practice courts before and during the Wimbledon Championships! We were hoping for no bad bounces. Day 1 saw a starting team of Jemima/Amelia, Aneka/Izzy and Millie/Alexa. It is always tough at the beginning of the week getting use to the grass, but the team started well taking the first set in all three matches. Two pairs carried on in the 2nd set but unfortunately Jemima and Amelia fell short against the 1st pair losing 11-9 in the 3rd set. 2-1 to Bucks and the lineup stayed the same for round 2. Round 2 ended up 4-2 to Bucks with Aneka/Izzy winning 6-2 6-4 and Alexa and Millie coming through a 3rd setter 10-6. One more win needed to secure the tie, but we know with county week every rubber counts. The arrival of Laura Deigman helped the team feel energised and the last round saw wins for Jemima/Laura and Aneka/Izzy with Millie/Alexa losing a tight 3rd setter against the 1st pair, also 11-9. 6-3 win for Bucks, a great start.
Day 2 – Bucks vs Kent 2-7
We knew this was going to be a tough match with the Kent team fielding players competing and training regularly. Bucks were ready for the fight. We made one change in the lineup with Robyn Went making her debut and partnering Jemima. A great experience for Robyn to be involved in the team at 16 years old. Round 1 ended up 2-1 to Kent with Millie/Alexa having a strong start to the day. In Round 2, four out of the seven sets went to a tie-break with Jemima/Robyn missing out 6-7 4-6, Aneka/Izzy lost 10-5 in the 3rd and Millie/Alexa carried on their inspired performance winning 7-5 6-4. 4-2 to Kent, Bucks were still in it. We made one substitution (allowed 2 in a day) and Lauren Armstrong came in to partner Jemima, we were hoping for some fresh legs to help the veteran. Sadly, Kent had the edge with two out of the three matches going to 3rd set tie-breaks, Kent came out on top in all 3 and finished the day 7-2 winners. Onwards and upwards and a BBQ at Laura’s got the team ready for Day 3.
Day 3 – Bucks vs Gloucestershire 4-5
The grass was playing beautifully, and the weather had been kind. A few changes to the line up on Day 3 with Laura/Alexa, Millie/Jemima and Aneka/Izzy. The first round couldn’t have been closer with all three matches going into a 3rd set breaker and sadly Bucks didn’t win any. One of those rounds where nothing quite goes your way and match points were had and disappeared. So, 0-3 and an uphill climb but not over yet. Round 2 saw focus from the Swans and determination to pick up some rubbers. Funny how things can turn around quickly, Bucks went out and took 3 out of 3 matches and were now tied at 3 matches each going into the final round. Exciting times when we knew the men were in the same situation down the road. So, the team stayed as it was and into Round 3 we went after consuming various power drinks, bananas and energy bars. It was getting hot as well so some sweaty faces amongst us and hiding in the air-conditioned changing rooms until play started. Izzy/Aneka lost to an experienced pair who have been pairing up for over 10 years, Alexa and Laura dismantled a subbed in 3rd pair. So, 4-4 and it left Jemima/Millie at one set a piece against a pair where one of them had competed in the doubles and mixed at Wimbledon 2024. One match point saved but we couldn't save two and lost 11-9 in the 3rd. So close and this meant a 5-4 loss to the Swans. What a fight and all to play for in the next two days.
Day 4 – Bucks vs Norfolk 9-0 With a change of captaincy with Izzy taking over from Jemima who had to depart the team, we knew rubbers were crucial and a win today would pretty much secure the team in Group 3. Two out of the three pairs changed with Izzy and Aneka remaining as a strong pair, Millie teaming up with Lauren Armstrong and Alexa playing with Anna Micu (another debut performance from a young Bucks player). Due to the weather, play started late, and the scoring format changed to short sets. This seemed to push the team on as they were ruthless and went 3-0 up without dropping a set. Laura Deigman managed to juggle work and was able to come back in for the 2nd and 3rd rounds teaming up with Alexa again. The team carried on with the mantra of short and sweet and went 6-0 again without any sets lost. Third round was very similar, one set lost but a resounding 9-0 win. The day couldn’t have gone any better!!
Day 5 – Bucks vs Lancashire 6-3
An interesting last day for the Swans. The team was pretty much safe in Group 3 and Lancashire were playing to win the group and promotion. The weather was still looking iffy so the short sets format was brought in again. Another reshuffle of pairs meant Alexa and Izzy teamed up for the first time in the week, Aneka and Anna also a new pairing and then that left Millie and Lauren remaining as a strong and ruthless pairing. The team knew they were up against it with Lancs undefeated over the four days. The team however was not intimidated and took a 2-1 lead with Anna and Aneka winning in a tight 3 setter!! One change in the 2nd round giving Robyn a chance to compete again meant she teamed up with Aneka. 2-1 lead changed to 4-2 to Bucks with Alexa and Izzy not quite having enough in the tank to beat a team that so far were undefeated. Last round saw no changes and the team were up for it. 10-2 win in the 3rd for Millie and Lauren and a dominating performance from Izzy and Alexa meant 6-2 to Bucks with one more match on. Robyn and Aneka were in an inspired 3rd set against the undefeated pair. They almost took it but came out 2nd by being defeated 10-8. 6-3 win for Bucks which meant a 3rd place finish in a strong Group 3.
It was great to see the ladies competing at such a high level and with a young team, coming 3rd was a great achievement and the team were so close to
being promoted. It was a fantastic week, the team spirit was so positive, the grass was amazing to play on, the team handled different scoring formats, there were mini heat waves and the support from the sidelines from many county players old and new, parents and Bucks support crew was brilliant. Always a week to learn from for the juniors and nice to see them gaining in confidence throughout the week and we were lucky to play on such lovely grass courts at Raynes Park.
Congratulations to Robyn Went who won the Francis Charlton award. Robyn was awarded this due to her enthusiasm on the sidelines, her positive attitude when supporting the team, resilience when on the court and team spirit throughout the week. When she was put into the line up she gave everything and it is the first time a debut player has received the award.
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