On Sunday 4th December the U12’s took the 100 mile trek south to Hatfield for a double match against Essex and Hertfordshire in the Shires league. The team consisted of Will, Carly, Mitchell, Sylvie, Archie and three players making their debut, Fallon, Baptiste and Matilda.
The team played a strong Essex team first and matched each other, sharing the wins, mixed doubles 2-2 and singles 4-4, including a couple of excellent wins for two of the new players, Matilda and Baptiste in the singles. This left the deciding games for the level doubles, every player did their part, each claiming victories and playing for one another showing a fantastic team ethic. This and the forever enthusiastic girls gave us the edge taking the level doubles 5-3 and finishing with a well-deserved 11-9 win in a match where every player recorded wins.
Second up was Hertfordshire sporting a selection of experienced players, a match we knew would be tough. Honours were shared again in the mixed doubles but the Singles proved too tough due to Herts’ strength in depth. At 8-4 down in the matches and starting to fatigue against a fresher team, we were left an incredibly difficult task in the level doubles. Despite the players continuing to work well as a team and persevering with the determination they have shown throughout, we took three of the eight games but unfortunately it proved too much and we finished 13-7 down.
The whole Leicestershire U12 squad should be incredibly proud of themselves for their efforts and commitment to the season so far. With two Shires matches to go, we are still in with a chance to qualify.
Well done to all of you.
