Tough time for ICT Norfolk Team

The Under 17s Inter Counties Tournament, played at Nottingham University, is the most prestigious event in the junior calendar and this year attracted 38 counties, all of whom played 10 matches in 4 days. Norfolk has entered a team for the last 26 years and knew that this year would be particularly tough going.

This was confirmed when the first round draw was made and Norfolks opening match was against seven times winners and this years favourites, Yorkshire. Unfortunately, they were comprehensively beaten and this was followed by two further first round defeats at the hands of Flintshire and Berkshire and second round losses against Devon and Northants.

But the format of the competition is for winners to play other winners in the next round and losers to play losers, so in round three Norfolk were up against other counties of a similar standard and this immediately produced closer matches and the teams first victory when they beat Dorset 6-4. Regretfully, this was followed by three further defeats in hard fought games against Northumberland, Bedfordshire and Shropshire.

But the teams last match of the competition sent them home happy, with a 6-4 victory against Worcestershire. Yorkshire were crowned Champions for the eighth time, with Hertfordshire in second place.

Team Manager, Maureen Lincoln said that all the team members played to the best of their ability and she was very pleased with their commitment and enthusiasm, despite the end result of 36th place. Every member won at least one game, with Michelle Lewin being the most successful player winning six singles and, partnered by Pavitra Chotai, six doubles games.

Norfolk were represented by Steph Buttle, Kirsty Spinks, Sarah Lewin, Pavitra Chotai, Chris Piff, Ryan Minns, Rohan Chitale, Lee Thomas and Daniel Leers.