CORNWALL Under-11s travelled to Bristol on January 18 for their next round of the South West League.

Having lost last time to a very strong Gloucestershire team, there was considerable interest to see if we could improve. Emily Fanson, Bude (No 5) began hesitantly playing too many front court shots and too many cross courts, and although always in with a chance, lost the first game 5/11.

In the second game Emily worked hard, running for every shot and playing long rallies. At 6/8 down Emily suddenly found her good serve to take the game to 8/9. Clinging on 'by her fingertips', Emily managed to catch up every time Aaron, her opponent, reached game ball. Then Emily started winning and her opponent caught up. Eventually Emily, the fittest, lost the game 21/19!

Having worn her opponent down, Emily cruised through the next two games and was unlucky to lose the match 5/11, 19/21, 11/9, 11/1, 9/11. Easily the best match of the day.

Zefron Counter, Truro at No 4 initially struggled to get length and width in his match, sometimes serving out or down the middle, and lost the first two games 8/11 and 7/11.

Then in three very close-fought games, Zefron managed to keep his head and play better length and width to play the ball away from his opponent. He took the next three games 11/7, 12/10, 11/9 to win the match.

Oscar Lloyd-Laney, Falmouth (No 3), Tremaine Fry, Bude (No 2) and Jago Saxton, Bude (No1) all faced technically strong opponents and could not afford to play loose middle, or front court, shots or serve out at vital points.

They all tried hard and had their chances, but lost 3-0. Jago 6/11, 5/11, 5/11; Tremaine 2/11, 8/11, 6/11; Oscar 4/11, 9/11, 6/11.

Cornwall lost 1-4 and 10-17 points. A much improved result!

The second match against Dorset started well, because they were a player short, so Emily had a walkover, for which Cornwall gratefully received 4 points.

Emily played a friendly against the Dorset No 2 and did well to pick up some points. She lost 3/11, 5/11, 2/11.

Zefran Counter, recovered from his previous long match, had no hesitation in playing much better and tighter length and making his serves hit the side wall. He had a comfortable win 11/7, 11/9, 11/6.

Oscar and Tremaine again played technically stronger opponents and could not afford to make mistakes. Tremaine did serve at game ball, but could not follow through. Oscar lost 6/11, 4/11, 5/11 and Tremaine lost 3/11, 10/12, 6/11.

Jago went on court at 2-2 to try and win the match. His first games were tentative lacking in depth and with mistakes at the front, but in the third game he improved his accuracy and worked hard in every rally to take the game 12/10. However he could not maintain the work rate in the fourth game and eventually lost 5/11, 7/11, 12/10, 6/11. Cornwall lost the match 12-13. So close!

This was a much improved performance for our Under-11s in their first County season.

We look forward to even better results in the next matches. Eve Methven.