U15s Performing well in Shires

The Shires League was formed in 1983 to give junior players the opportunity to play youngsters from other counties in a friendly, yet competitive atmosphere. Norfolk was one of the eight founder members but since then the league has grown to 31 counties playing in four divisions in three age groups. This season, Norfolks top performers are the Under 15s.

Having earlier in the season lost to high-flying Herts and Notts, the team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over Leicestershire. The 16-4 scoreline was hard earned with eight of the matches going to three sets. At three-all, two vital singles were won by Luke Cox and Serena Verney and this turned the match in Norfolks favour and inspired the team to win all but one of the remaining matches, which was a great credit to their skill and fitness levels. Other members of the team were Mark Robinson, Ashley Robb, Andrew Carrier, Holly Bowen, Sophie Piper and Louise Thacker. Norfolk still have an outside chance of qualifying for the finals, but they will have to rely upon Herts or Notts losing one of their remaining matches.

The Under 17s are currently in a mid-table position in their division.Their latest match was against a fast improving Suffolk side which ended in a 10-all draw, for which the boys took the major credit, winning three out of their four singles and doubles games. Eleven of the games went to three sets but,unfortunately, the girls lost all four singles and three doubles, although they contributed towards three mixed doubles victories. Representing Norfolk were Lucas Lefevre, Kurtis Lefevre, Lee Robinson, Chris Piff, Charlotte Crosby, Briony Lund, Holly Bowen and Stephanie Rowland.

The Under 13s are struggling this season, but the young team are gaining in experience, which will be put to good use in next seasons campaign.

* The Over 45s county team continued their winning run with an excellent 9-3 victory over Northants at the Kettering Leisure Village, although the match was somewhat closer than the score suggests, with many of the games going to three sets. David Guy and Julian Sharman and Eddie Simmons and Mark Bennett won all their games, whilst Jeannine Whiffen and Suzanne Benton halved, with both games going to three. Sally Piff and Andrea Berger also took both their games to three and were unlucky to finish up on the losing end in both.But Norfolk stormed back by winning all four mixed doubles to take the match 9-3.

Nottinghamshire have also won all their matches to date and the two teams come face to face in a crunch match at Easton Sports Centre on February 24 (12 noon). The Over 40s will also be in action and spectators are most welcome.