U14 Girls Compete with Heart, Spirit, and Determination

Written by Claire Williamson

Team:

Nella Aulehlova

Ella Bai

Anya Cooner

Poppy Harman

Esther Sun

Captain: Claire Williamson

Assistant: George Frankham

Match Results:

• vs East of Scotland – 3-3, lost on shootout

• vs Durham & Cleveland – 6-0

• vs Cheshire – 6-0

The U14 County Cup in Boston proved to be a competitive and memorable weekend for our team: Ella, Anya, Nella, Poppy, and Esther. On paper, qualification for nationals was always going to be a challenge, but as a team we approached the event with a clear goal—to give our best in every match and take any opportunities that came our way.

Our opening tie against East of Scotland, widely considered the strongest team in the group, set the tone for the weekend. It was a fantastic start, with impressive singles wins from Poppy, Nella, and Anya putting us 3–1 up. Ella battled hard against a very strong number one but narrowly missed out.

The doubles proved decisive. With matches played after the Durham & Cleveland singles, we felt confident in our pairings—Esther with Ella, and Anya with Nella—while Poppy sat out after her singles. Both pairs got off to an excellent start, taking the first sets. However, the Scottish team showed their experience and preparation, particularly in doubles where they train together regularly on the doubles court. They adapted well, taking the second and third sets through smart tactics and strong net play. The match tie-break shootout was incredibly close, but despite a determined effort, we fell just short. It was a tough loss, especially after leading so strongly from the singles.

We performed brilliantly against Durham and Cleveland. One of the standout moments came from Poppy, who showed tremendous resilience to come back from a set and 1–0 down to win her match. That momentum carried through, with Nella, Anya, and Ella all securing victories to give us a 4–0 lead. The doubles were completed the following morning, with Esther partnering Poppy and Anya with Ella—both pairs delivering strong performances to complete a convincing win.

Our final match against Cheshire saw another fast start, with dominant singles performances across the board. Esther stepped in for her first singles match of the weekend and, after settling in, produced an excellent performance. The doubles continued in the same vein, with wins from Poppy & Anya and Esther & Nella, sealing a 6–0 victory.

It was a remarkable weekend overall. Despite winning the most individual matches across the competition, we finished in a strong third place, with East of Scotland taking the overall title.

A big thank you goes to George, whose support and work with the girls throughout the weekend was invaluable. 

We are also very grateful to the parents for their commitment in getting the players to the event—something we hope can be made easier for everyone in future.

Finally, to the girls: you were outstanding. A fantastic team effort, great spirit, and a real sense of togetherness both on and off the court. It was a pleasure to spend the weekend with you all, and we look forward to seeing your continued growth and development in the months ahead on & off the court