TENNIS: Young aces finish third

In the build-up to the competition, Beds competed in Woodbridge, Suffolk, where they saw off Norfolk 4-0 and Suffolk 3-1.

They then defeated Cambridgeshire 4-0 and Hertfordshire 3-1 to win the group and progress through to the Nationals.

At the finals, first up was Leicestershire on Friday, with Beds 2-1 down after the singles, before going on to win the doubles and the tie-break shootout 10-4.

Saturday morning saw a 3-1 victory secured against the west of Scotland that set up a group decider against Staffordshire.

Taking a 2-1 lead into the doubles, things were looking good for Beds.

Unfortunately the doubles team from Staffs proved to be too strong as they made it 2-2 and won the doubles shootout 10-7.

This meant a third/fourth place play-off against Surrey on Sunday.

Leading 2-1 after the singles, the girls raced into a 4-0 lead in the doubles.

Surrey, however, fought back – taking the second set 4-0 and winning the tie-break to level the tie at 2-2.

The shootout was a tense affair that was eventually won by Beds 10-5, securing a fine third in their first appearance in the national finals.

The team was made up of Jaquelyn Ogunwale, Jessica Matthews, Liza Verzhbitskaya and captain Tony Woolf.