SUMMER COUNTY WEEK 2009
This was the Herts Men's 5th consecutive appearance in Group 1 in Eastbourne. Our first year saw us win on every day, to take the Summer County Week Trophy. The next 3 years saw us runners up on each of those years winning on 4 days out of 5 - showing how very hard it is to win that national title.
When we arrived at Eastbourne this year, the excitement was no less than in previous years, with the spirit of the team buzzing from the off. And while those ingredients, of course, are always needed, ultimately it's whether the pairings gel and they can do 'the business'.
The answer came quickly for sure and the week just rolled by. In terms of the results, the eventual runners up - Warwickshire (they won 4 out of 5), went down to Herts on Day 1 9-0, followed by 7-2 over Dorset, 7-2 against Yorks on Day 4, and we were 6-0 over Lancs on the Friday when they conceded the last 3 rubbers with the title by that point firmly in Hertfordshire's hands.
In 2008's, Hert's only loss was to Lancashire who went on to win the title. It came on the Wednesday, with our Men 3-0 up after Round 1, a day I later named as 'Wobbly Wednesday'. In 2009 the Wednesday, without us realising it at the time, would again determine Hert's destiny for the title, and perhaps even greater, became the day that transformed this year's CountyWeek for everyone. It centered around the arrival of two brothers, with the last name of Murray.
The day began when I was asked to attend a meeting with the referees and Captain of No. of Scotland. While I knew that Jamie Murray was Nominated in their squad on the Monday (although he hadn't appeared on the first two days), Andy was not. It was explained that the Rules of County Week permit a County to put forward a non-nominated player provided that on the day of any match where a team falls below 6 available fit players, that County can ask for a non-nominated player to be accepted into that day, or remaining days County team.
This was the case with No. of Scotland - due to different circumstances, by the Wednesday they only had 5 fit players. It was up to me to accept carte blanche that one of their players who had played on the Monday and Tuesday, wasn't fit for playing that day. The alternative was to request an official medical by the CountyWeek physio to deem that player unfit (or fit).
The bigger question put to me was how I felt that No. of Scotland's non-nominated player just happened to be World No 3, Andy Murray!
My immediate reaction was this was fantastic for CountyWeek, and additionally, from our perspective as the County that would oppose No of Scotland, we should have no compunctions whatsoever to face the very best that any County could put out. And if it happened to include the current World No. 3 and his brother who had a doubles Wimbledon title, to me it was all very simple - Game On!
It turned out to be one heck of a day, with the general buzz spreading around DevonshireParklike wildfire. Most important to me was the reaction from our squad; they were so upbeat and ready to rock.
The match itself, couldn't have been scripted more dramatically.Andy, with his partner Euan Hadden did win all 3 rubbers. But it wasn't all plain sailing. Against Neil Bamford and David Rice (1 v 1) they squeaked a third set tie-break victory, and against Neil Roskilly and Nick Lester (our number 3 pair) only won 6-4, 7-6.
Jamie and his partner, Johnny Pankhurst, won 1 out of 3, and by the end of round 2, the match itself couldn't have been tighter standing at 3 rubbers all. As the last round progressed, it reached one of those climatic moments that occasionally comes along that captivates players and spectators alike - 4 rubbers all with the last match standing at 1 set all with a pro set to 10 to determine the overall day's result.
David and Ed Corrie were the Herts team playing Jamie Murray and Johnny Pankhurst, and were a set and 5-3 up before the No. of Scotland pair clawed their way back to take the match into the deciding tie-break. The climatic moment came when the Corries were 7-8 down, but then, with total abandonment reeled off 3 huge points, worthy of Grand Slam tennis, taking Herts to a most exciting victory. The Wednesday, btw, was renamed Wondrous Wednesday, for at least the coming year!
So, the Herts Men are champs again this year - going on to win as reported above, the remaining two matches against Yorkshire and the defending title holders Lancashire.
Having been asked to say a few words at the presentation ceremony, I underscored that while, of course, I and all the Herts LTA were incredibly proud of our team, I felt County Week was the big winner this year,with the national press giving much space and pictures about Andy Murray's appearance for his County, as well as various radio and press interviews Nick Lester Neil Bamford, David Rice and myself were asked to participate in.
Perhaps most importantly, it demonstrated once again the great tradition of the event itself, as in the past, that the best of Britain's tennis players, when they can, do show up for CountyWeek to support their County's.
As a final note about the Herts V No. of Scotland match, the planets must have been in alignment, because on the Wednesday, Roger Draper, Derek Howorth (the LTA President) and other LTA exec's arrived to attend an annual meeting that began with a dinnerin the evening, but they all watched the match with interest.
For Hertfordshire, in regaining the County Week Trophy, the Men now currently hold both the Summer and Winter Group 1 Trophies. Our 5 years in Group 1 has seen us compete in 25 matches, and we've won 22 of them. For now though, my attention is firmly toward the Winter competition, and I'm hoping, if I can secure a similar team to the last few years, the Herts Men will compete to make it a hat-trick of Winter titles.
My report wouldn't be complete without some words about our players - Neil Bamford, David and Ed Corrie, George Coupland, Hamid Hejazi, Nick Lester, David Rice and Neil Roskilly. The 5-0 team results speak for themselves, but each player contributed exceptionally, led by Neil Bamford playing every day with only one loss - that close three setter against Andy Murray and Euan Hadden. Bammy's partnership with David Rice proved quite special, as were the Corrie Brothers, and our Herts stalwarts, Neil Roskilly and Nick Lester.
George Coupland contributed in a major way too, including impressively partnering Neil Roskilly on Day 5 against Lancashire, to show his versatility with whoever he partners. While Hamid Hejazi's CountyWeek was cut short after a back injury forced him to retire on Day 2 against Dorset partnering Neil Bamford, they had won both their matches before Hamid had to retire.
Can it get better than the position the Herts Men are currently in? Of course, we want MORE trophies! And whenever we've reached a new plateau, I've always reflected on EVERY team that has ever come out for Herts under my watch - whether it was Group 4 in the Summer or Group 6 in the Winter where it all started for me. I remain so totally appreciative of every player that has given his time and passion for their county. The players are everything, the starting point. Thank you to each and every one who has come out for Hertfordshire. A special thank you too to our Herts supporters, who every year come out in numbers and vocal support that I know all our teams feed off.
As a final 'full stop' to a great County Week, on the Saturday evening, we partayed - the team with their partners plus Janet and Martin Corrie, my wife Geraldine and sons Joab and Zeb with his partner, had a celebratory dinner in London Afterwards, we went to Maya, one of London's top clubs which Zeb DJ's at, and he organized VIP treatment for all of us - no queuing and straight to our own waiting table and private service. Great to have a son who's a DJ!
WINTER SCHEDULE
While it's too soon to be able to announce the team for the WinterInterCounty, I can confirm that once again, we have four Friendly Fixtures at Gosling leading into the competition commencing on November 1, against OxfordUniversity, followed by CambridgeUniversity, then Essex and BucksCounties. As always, these Winter Fixtures follow the same format as the Winter Competition itself - 6 singles followed by 3 doubles.
Come on Herts!
JEFF WAYNE
Hert's Men's Captain.