National Schoolgirls Level Tournaments
Report and Photos 2020
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National Schoolgirls Singles and Doubles Level Tournaments
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Click here for National Schoolgirls Tournaments Results 2020
U15 and U19 Level Singles and Doubles 2020
The U15 Singles finalists with Jill Newby
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Daisy Bristowe and Cesca Sweet U19 Singles finalists with Josh Farrell
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U15 Doubles Finalists with Jill Newby
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U19 Doubles finalists: Arabella Spraggs, Daisy Bristowe, Cesca Sweet & Lilly May Redshaw with Josh Farrell
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National School Girls 2020 – Report by Jill Newby & Alex Garside
A wonderful 24 girls entered the U15 and U19 National Schools Singles and Doubles Championships held at Wellington with entries from 9 different schools.
In the first U15 semi-final Olivia Boulton played Evie Tambling. Olivia won 6 - 0 which was a reflection of Olivia's high quality serving. However, Evie deserves praise for her calmness on court and "when" allowed, hit some lovely forehands cross court. The second semi-final saw Isabella Harvey against a much improved Honor Vallat with Isabella winning 6 - 0. Again, this was a match where the stronger player hit serves to such a good length and spin that it didn't allow Honor many opportunities to win points.
In the final Olivia v Isabella, Olivia didn't make any unforced errors and retrieved many of Isabella's good length drives off the back wall which looked as if they were going to be winners. Isabella saved a match point at 5- 1 to take that and the next game with some excellent volleys and drives down the main wall. Olivia then started moving her feet again and took the final game to love so winning 6-3.
The U15 Doubles final featured Olivia Boulton and Marina Hammond v Isabella Harvey and Sophie Rudge. Clearly Isabella and Sophie had a good plan that they were going to play on the least strong player, in this case Marina, but Marina served so well to Sophie that it gave her little chance of doing this and she was only too happy to have hit the ball over the net. Olivia and Marina played consistently throughout the match with some cracking shots into the corners of the court. Isabella volleyed well again but despite this Olivia and Marina were triumphant winning 6-3. Isabella and Sophie should be congratulated on reaching the final as this was their first ever tournament.
The U19s competition took place on the Sunday and the Singles competition comprised of just 7 competitors in two round robin groups. All competitors were from Wellington except for one who was from PERSE, Cambridge. The first semi-final featured Isabella (Bella) Harvey (PERSE) who was just 13 years of age and had already competed successfully in the U15s losing in the final. This was her first competition and it was evident that she is very talented demonstrating classic strokes and good footwork. Bella was up against Daisy Bristowe (Wellington), another talented player who was improving each match she played. Daisy won the match 6-2 despite Bella playing with great precision and hitting balls into the corners forcing errors from her opponent. Daisy demonstrated her strength when hitting a ball and that no one should give her a volley!
The second semi-final was between Lauren Gooding against Cesca Sweet, again two talented players, Lauren being a fine rackets player and Cesca excelling in lawn tennis and cricket. Lauren, left-hander, started serving in the first game producing good railroads and it went down to 40 all, one point which Cesca just got. Having won the first game, Cesca then took the next two. Lauren then fought back to take the next two games, 3-2 to Cesca. Cesca took the next game to love putting the final ball into the grille. Cesca grew in confidence and took the remaining games beating Lauren 6-2.
The final between Cesca and Daisy saw Cesca taking a commanding 4-0 lead although the games themselves were close. Daisy fought back by taking the next 4 games to make it 4 games all. The next game Cesca took to love, 5-4. It was level pegging in the next game but Cesca just got this and won the match 6-4. An excellent final!
The U19 Doubles final featured Cesca Sweet and Lilly May Redshaw against Daisy Bristowe and Arabella Spraggs. Cesca and Lilly made a flying start to the match by taking the first 3 games. Daisy and Arabella took the 4th game helped by Arabella’s strong serving but it was soon evident that Cesca and Lilly were too strong for their opponents and eventually ran out the winners 6-2.