Dalepak and County Tennis

NORTHANTS’ 18 & Under girls sported the Dalepak colours when turned in a battling display at their recent national championships in Devon.

The county side, coached by James Haley, consolidated their position in Group 5 at the Tarka Tennis Centre after a clearcut 5-1 win over Dorset on the final day.

Star of the show was Cassie Dix who played at the head of the singles rankings and whose reputation for wearing down opponents in gruelling three set matches typified the team’s determination.

On the opening day against Cornwall’s number one, Cassie saved three match points in the second set, which she eventually won 8-6 before taking the decider 6-3.

Haley remarked: “Nothing is ever straight forward with Cassie. She is well known for her long battles on court and on this occasion the Cornwall player had to withdraw from the later doubles match due to exhaustion.”

He added: “Cassie, Sophie Walker and Harriet Leach are now out of age which is sad as they have been involved each year since I began coaching this squad. However, we saw signs of the future at Barnstaple as players such as Alice Johns and Jemima Potter came in to secure wins.”

Northants boys, who are also sponsored by Dalepak, narrowly missed out on promotion at Welwyn Garden City after losing 5-4 to Oxfordshire on the first day but secured their status with a Sunday victory at the expense of Wiltshire.