Rallying Through Rain, Injuries, and Tie Breaks: Ladies’ Summer County Week 2025

Written by Lianne Candappa, Team Captain

Warwickshire Ladies - Summer County Week

Captain – Lianne Candappa

Holly Reid

Giorgie Jones

Lucie Butler

Lois Porter

Louise Kilshaw

Mary Hoggard

Lizzie Massie

Marina Beckinsale

Vs Essex 7 - 2

Vs North Wales 7 - 2

Vs Lincolnshire 5 - 4

Vs East of Scotland 5 - 4

Vs Norfolk 5 – 4

To view full results please click here

Day 1 

We had hit at the club on the Sunday but unfortunately not the grass as it has rained

the last 2 days, we therefore knew the first few matches would take a while to get

into it. However, we were up against a strong Essex side so didn't have time to mess

about! We decided to keep Mary and Giorgie together after they had proved a strong

pairing from last year. We then decided with Louise's experience and hands on grass

and Lois's powerful shots and strength at the net they would be a great combination!

Holly and Lizzie had played a couple of times last year as well so knew each others

games and would compliment each other. 

Round 1 was tough and Essex came out fighting, narrowly getting a 2-1 lead,

winning a tight championship tie break! 

This didn't put the ladies off as they knew the grass would take a round to get use to,

as well as pairings. 

Round 2 - Lois and Louise learnt from their tight loss in the cham tie break to secure

a win this time, with Holly and Liz winning as well as Giorgie and Mary. 

We were therefore going into round 3 with a 4-2 lead! 

There were a couple of subs in the Essex team but that didn't stop our ladies, they

came out firing after lunch winning all 3 rubbers! It seemed like an easy win 7-2 but it

definitely wasn't

Beat Essex 7-2

Day 2 - 

V North Wales 

We had seen North Wales had lost the day before against Norfolk who we had

beaten last year, so that gave us more confidence at the start of the day! This gave

the team a massive confidence boost and they got off to a fantastic start winning all

3 rubbers. 

We then had a plan of taking Liz Massie out to rest her shoulder ready for day 3, and

bringing in Lucie who was ready to play! 

Again everyone started well, and we were feeling confident. Unfortunately while running for a short ball, Lois went over on her ankle and had to retire.

Poor Lois could just about to walk off. It was now 3-1, and things could change

quickly! However, Mary and Giorgie cruised through their match and Holly and Lucie

had a fantastic match fighting hard to secure the win! We were then going into lunch

5-1 up, with a win under our belts. 

I stepped in to play with Louise, taking Lois' place. Myself and Louise had a  great

match, unfortunately losing in a cham tie break, but Holly/Lucie and Giorgie/Mary got

the wins! 

Best North Wales 7-2

Day 3 - 

V Lincolnshire 

We had been watching Lincolnshire closely as we knew they would be tough

opponents especially as the Windley sisters were playing, although one had been ill

earlier in the week. 

With Lois visiting A and E the night before and now on crutches she and Tom Barton

were our supporters and I was back in! 

First round and there were some great matches and points with all tight matches! We

came through round one 2-1 up, which was a great start! 

Then in the 2nd round Lucie and Holly worked really well together to beat a strong

hitting junior side! Giorgie and Mary worked well together but unfortunately the

Windley sisters were on top form! Lizzie and Myself managed to get a good win

against the 1st pair. 

So after lunch we were coming in 4-2 up, which we were happy with, knowing we

needed 1 more rubber. Giorgie and Mary got the win comfortably and quicker which

took the pressure off the others, although myself and Lizzie gave the juniors a run for

the money! 

Beat Lincolnshire 5-4

Day 4-

V East of Scotland 

Unfortunately, just as we were starting day 3, Grace Gamble text me to say she had

gone over on her ankle as well, very similar to Lois and wouldn't be able to play! This

was also the same as Hazel who was suppose to be joining us for day 4 and 5!

Luckily Tom and Lois came to the rescue and sweet talked Louise in coming back to

play day 4 and Marina into playing day 5!

We knew this was the toughest matches of the week, as they hadn't lost all week

and neither had we! 

There were some fantastic points and matches played round 1, but we were down 2-

1! We knew we weren't far off it and had to adapt our play slightly to beat some great

doubles pairings and play from Scotland. The Warwickshire pairs passed on their

knowledge from round 1 to each other and it worked! Lucie and Liz had an amazing

win 10-7 in the cham tie break, Mary/Giorgie and Holly/Louise were on fire and got

the much needed wins! 

We were going into lunch 4-2 up, feeling a lot happier! We knew this round would be

tough, like the last few matches but Holly and Louise were on fire and managed to

secure the win we needed! 

Best East of Scotland 5-4

Day 5 - 

V Dorset 

Going into today feeling relaxed but also we knew we had to get the job done! Louise

had gone back home, Marina was on her way with Lois coming back to support! I

didn't want to chuck Marina into the first match with not knowing all the players and

seeing the opponents, so myself and Lizzie played together, just losing on a cham tie

break. Holly and Lucie were back together and got a quick win as well as Giorgie

and Mary. 

Round 2, Giorgie and Mary had a tough first set but won it, with their opponents then

retiring. Holly and Lucie were back on form and got a nice win under their belts, while

Marina and Lizzie had a cracking match just losing on another cham tie break 14-12!

We then knew we were 4-2 going into lunch but with a pair retiring and no subs on

the bench that gave us a 5-2 win and crowned us champions of Div 4!

Beat Norfolk 5-2

The girls were fantastic this week, working together, supporting each other, and

playing some cracking tennis! It was great to be at Cheltenham as we weren't too far

from home so had support daily! Although we were unlucky with Hazel, Lois and

Grace all hurting their ankles they still supported us through the week! We can't wait

to get back into division 3 and we are going to practice those championship tie

breaks for next year!