Boys are National County Cup Champions.

Team: Luca Bluett, Tom Chapman, Josh Ioannou, Benjamin Khan and Kim Sikka.

Qualifying
The boys travelled to Boston to compete for a place in the National finals of the 12U County Cup. Playing two round robin matches on Day 1, Middlesex were first up against Suffolk. At number 1 Luca held strong through a fightback from Daniel to win 4-0 5-4(7). Routine wins for Tom and Ben meant Middlesex won the tie ahead of the doubles with Josh and Kim sealing a clean sweep in the doubles.

Up next were Norfolk, at number 1 Luca faced an even tougher match from Oliver and showed great resilience to win in the third match tie break – 3-5 5-3 14-12. Tom secured a 4-1 4-0 win and Ben again secured the win with a 5-4(1) 4-2 win. Tom and Ben teamed up to get a second clean sweep 4-2 4-0.

On Day 2, up first was Cambridgeshire in the semi-finals. Luca, Tom and Kim secured the win in the singles with Luca and Tom again sealing it 8-0 in the doubles and gaining Middlesex a place in the Finals V Essex for a place in the National Finals.

Luca started off with a 4-0 4-0 win against Oliver and Tom followed up with a 4-2 4-1 win. Josh started off the third singles with a 4-1 win in the first set. Flynn raised his game and took the second set and the match tie break to keep Essex in the match. Down to the doubles, regular partners Luca and Tom came through the match 5-3 4-0 and secure a 6-2 victory.

Finals
The team had a further journey up to Bolton for the National Finals. Opening their campaign against Staffordshire on Day 1, Middlesex, as the underdogs, were expecting some tough matches. Luca held strong to beat Max 10-5 in the match tie break, Tom and Josh followed this up with 2 set wins against Harry and Alex respectively. Ben and Kim teamed up win the doubles 5-4(6) 2-4 10-4.

Next up on Saturday was Lancashire. Luca, Tom and Josh secured the win through the singles. Ben and Kim fought hard in the doubles, just missing out 7-5 in the second set tie break.

In the last of the Round Robin matches, Middlesex were to face group favourites Surrey. The team played brilliantly with Josh starting off with an amazing 4-0 4-0 win against Kai. Tom faced Lucian in the no2 singles and came through a tight match 5-4(4) 5-4(3). Luca sealed Middlesex’s place in the finals against Henry 4-0 4-2.

Ben and Kim played well in the doubles but couldn’t quite convert their chances in the Match Tie break.

In the Finals, Middlesex were up against Sussex. Josh again started off with a 4-1 5-4(5) win against Sergio, however a strong number 2 for Sussex was to good for Tom who lost 4-2 4-1 to make the tie 1-1.

Luca pulled off a big win against William 4-2 4-1 to give Middlesex the advantage going into the doubles. Regular doubles partners Luca and Tom went down in the first set to experienced doubles pair Charlies and William 4-5, they however gained momentum in the second set and smashed through to take the second set 4-0. A very close and suitably nail biting end to the County Cup followed – Middlesex went 4-6 down but then fought to make it 6-6, quickly going to 9-7 up .. 2 match points. Sussex won the next two to make it 9-9. Tom and Luca dug deep to take the next 2 points and claim victory 11-9.

Huge congratulations to Nigel and the team – Luca, Tom, Ben, Kim and Josh. A massive victory.

Girls come third in qualifying after being denied a place in the Finals by Essex.

Travelling to Frinton, Middlesex faced a tough start to their campaign against home county Suffolk. Ioana and Anjali took singles no 2 and no 3 with routine wins. Suffolk had a strong no1 player in Gabia who defeated Tia Bonita in the singles and joined up with Tilly against Tia Bonita and Ioana to level the match. In the match tie break, Suffolk proved too strong and secured the win.

Next up was Norfolk. Ioana, Anjali and Amelie brushed aside Norfolk with the loss of only 7 games across the 4 rubbers and secure an 8-0 victory. This ensured a second-place finish in the group and keep Middlesex in the running.

On Day 2, Middlesex played Group B winners Essex in the semi-final. Essex no 1 Ellie proved too strong for Tia Bonita, taking it 4-1 4-0. Anjali levelled the match against Selena with a 1-4 4-2 10-7 victory and Ioana fought hard to give Middlesex an advantage going into the doubles – 2-4 4-1 12-10.

Amelie and Ioana teamed up against Ellie and Selena but could not impact in the doubles and lost 4-2 4-2 leading to the team’s second tie-break shoot out, which Essex won.

In the 3rd/4th Play off Tie, Middlesex revenged their day 1 defeat by Suffolk with a 3-0 victory in the singles.

The Girls all tried their best throughout the weekend, supported by captains Monica and Flavia, and unfortunately was not meant to be this time.