THE Channel Islands Ladies’ Tennis Team put on a spirited display in the LTA Winter County Cup, despite falling short in both matches.
Competing in Group 6a at Aldershot Tennis Centre, the Channel Islanders lost narrowly 5-4 to Northamptonshire, before a 7-2 defeat to Wiltshire.
Despite the losses, the team showed resilience and potential, battling through several closely contested games, that could have easily gone their way on another day.
In the singles against Northamptonshire, Jersey’s Natasha Forrest and Guernsey’s Joanna Dyer each secured hard-fought victories, while Eva Hurst delivered an impressive win after a tense first-set tie-break.
However, Northamptonshire’s strength in the remaining singles matches proved superior to square the score at 3-3 heading into the doubles rubbers.
With drama and tension aplenty, Forrest and Hurst were unable to overcome the Northamptonshire top duo, but Dyer and Antonija Sokic up next eked out victory at the second spot.
Unfortunately, the CI Ladies fell at the final hurdle, as their third pairing were outclassed.
In the second contest, things did not get easier for the Channel Islands, facing an even more challenging opponent in Wiltshire after the bitter taste of defeat to Northamptonshire.
Despite their best efforts, the local side were defeated 7-2.
Forrest delivered a highlight performance in the singles against Wiltshire’s top seed, winning in a thrilling three-set match that ended in a tie-break that eventually fell her way.
The talented Jersey player then followed up that victory with a commanding doubles win alongside partner Hurst.
Alas, Wiltshire proved too strong across the rest of the board, despite determination and spirited performances from all.
Despite the pair of losses, there were plenty of positives for our local tennis talent, with displays of grit and brilliance across the competition against counties with much larger selection pools at their disposal.
Match Summaries (CI named first)
Channel Islands 4 – 5 Northamptonshire
Natasha Forrest beat Cassandra Dix (6-3, 7-5)
Joanna Dyer beat Elita Silins (6-3, 6-1)
Lauren Barker lost to Sophie Walker (3-6, 1-6)
Antonija Sokic lost to Alexandra Manojlovic (1-6, 0-6)
Eva Hurst beat Megan Ransford (7-6, 6-3)
Imogen Walker lost to Hattie Kendrick (6-1, 6-0)
Forrest/Hurst lost to Dix/Walker (2-6, 0-6)
Dyer/Sokic beat Manojlovic/Silins (7-6, 0-6 retired)
Barker/Smith lost to Kendrick/Ransford (0-6, 2-6)
Channel Islands 2 – 7 Wiltshire
Natasha Forrest beat Sophie Clark (6-4, 4-6, 0-1(5))
Joanna Dyer lost to Rebecca Heaps (1-6, 4-6)
Lauren Barker lost to Niamh Townsend (0-6, 1-6)
Antonija Sokic lost to Jessica Doerr (6-3, 2-6, 0-6)
Eva Hurst lost to Tillie Woods (1-6, 2-6)
Imogen Wegerer lost to Georgia Ifil (0-6, 0-6)
Forrest/Hurst beat Clark/Townsend (7-5, 6-1)
Dyer/Sokic lost to Heaps/Ifil (6-1, 4-6, 4-10)
Barker/Smith lost to Doerr/Fleming (1-6, 0-6)
