CI women retain divisional status

THE Channel Islands have maintained their place in women's group six of the LTA Summer County Cup. Having won their division last year, the CI travelled to East Dorset to compete in at a higher level in the week-long tournament.

The first day started with a bang when the CI convincingly beat Shropshire 6-3.

The opposition proved tougher over the next two days with both teams having strength in depth and the CI lost to Norfolk and were narrowly beaten by Gloucestershire 5-4.

After three days of fiercely heated competition, both tennis-wise and temperature-wise, the CI reached the tantalising score of 4-4 against Lincolnshire, with the second pairing of Rebecca Edwards and Francesca Dubras battling it out for victory.

They clinched the necessary 5-4 result through solid net play.

The final day found CI playing Staffordshire, their former opponents from the lower division last year.

After the first round of matches, CI trailed 2-1, with Heather Watson and Jo Robinson securing the first win of the day 6-0, 6-0. Round 2 proved a little tougher when Katie Gouyette and Chantelle de la Mare secured the only win against the same pair 6-4, 6-1.

They proved to be the only pair the CI could beat on the day as Staffordshire's first two pairs had too much fire power in a 6-3 overall win.

The whole week proved to be a valuable experience and built great team spirit.

Dubras and Watson played on all five days and all three juniors gained much experience which is a promising sign for future senior teams.

The CI's results through the week were enough to give them another year in this division and they came a very respectable fourth.