10:43pm Monday 20th July 2009
Oxfordshire women’s captain Emma Tolson said it was vital they bounced back to form when they face Hereford & Worcestershire in their Group 4 clash at North Oxford today.
Yesterday, they had a day to forget as they crashed to an 8-1 defeat against one of the favourites, Cambridgeshire.
Their only win came from third pair Jo Love and Lyndsey Ackland, who triumphed 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over Cambridgeshire’s second pair.
“It was horrendous,” said Tolson, who took over at the helm for the first time this season.
“But they are the strongest team, so we have got the worst one out of the way.
“Most of their team were in the tour and played at Wimbledon in the summer.
“It was very frustrating and a very tough baptism for me.
“We now face Hereford who we should be able to have more luck against and we will have the same line-up, so hopefully the continuity will help.
“We are keeping it upbeat. We have to bounce back and forget about what happened yesterday.”
Oxfordshire 1, Cambridgeshire 8 (Oxon scores) – J Muddle & V Valimaa lost 0-6, 0-6, lost 1-6, 1-6, lost 0-6, 0-6; E Tolson & K Hazelwood lost 0-6, 2-6, lost 2-6, 2-6, lost 1-6, 0-6; J Love & L Ackland lost 2-6, 5-7, won 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, lost 1-6, 6-7.
There was better news for Oxfordshire’s men, though, as they beat Isle of Man 8-1 in their Group 7 clash in Bexley, Kent.
But captain Jonathan Maskens said they were not getting carried away.
“It’s a good start, but they are probably one of the weakest team we have to face,” said Maskens.
“Today, we play Wiltshire, followed by Bedfordshire tomorrow, who are two of the strongest teams.
“The tournament is split into two teams of four, with the top two going into a super league, so I would say the next two days are vital.”
Oxfordshire 8, Isle of Man 1 (Oxon scores) – J Maskens & J Cartledge won 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, won 7-5, 6-2, won 6-2, 6-3; R Pink & J Rooney lost 4-6, 5-7, won 6-1, 6-4, won 6-4, 6-2; P Butcher & H Brown 6-2, 7-6, won 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, won 6-3, 6-3.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/trade_directory/