Exmouth tennis team reach national finals
Exmouth Community College boys regional champions
By Kristy Robinson
The girls’ team also did well; they were beaten in the semi-finals by the top seeds but went on to take third place after beating Cheltenham Ladies’ School.
The boys’ team consisted of Benjamin Johnson, who is currently ranked seventh in the country for 14U, Chris Denton, Lucas Urquiza, and Alfie Woodger, who are all ranked in the top 30 in the South West for 14U.
The boys’ team had a tight first match against Bournemouth Collegiate with Lucas and Alfie winning their singles and doubles matches to bring the tie level.
Lucas and Ben then played in a tense match tiebreak shoot-out winning 10-7 to claim the match.
The girls’ team (pictured below) consisted of Jessica Johnson, ranked third in the South West, who only joined the school in September but played as team number one, Darcie Morton, Maddie Schuchter, Kirsty Robinson, and Malena Kathi. Johana Kathi was also part of the team but was unfortunately forced to pull out due to injury.
Jessica, Darcie, Maddie, Kirsty and Malena.
The girls played the top seeds (Talbot Heath) first, and they battled hard against much higher ranked players. Maddie won her rubber but Talbot Heath were too strong overall. The girls then went on to win the third/fourth play-off match 5-1, with all the girls winning their singles matches, and Jessica Johnson and Darcie Morton winning their doubles.
The tournament started back in April and the ECC boys’ team reached the Regional Final without dropping a rubber; the girls’ team were dominant in their qualifying matches.
The players put in hours of training a week to achieve these results, before, during and after school at the LED tennis centre, and this couldn’t be done without the brilliant coaching team for the ECC and East Devon Tennis Academies. Thanks to the ECC teachers for their support at the tournaments.