The Verse’s Sports Editor Gerald O’Brien reviews the Essex vs Yorkshire women’s tennis match at Devonshire Park on 23rd July 2019.
Eastbourne Tennis LTA County Cup Week, where a Yorkshire slice is a searing serve, and not a portion of Betty’s finest, and an Essex backhand is a poised and controlled shot, not a fistful of used fivers.
I am watching Essex vs Yorkshire Ladies on the centre court. It is 11:20 am and I am having to sit in blazing sunshine because all the main stand doors are locked and there is no access to any shaded areas. God help us if there is an emergency, as they are also the designated fire exits.
County Week has a small, but dedicated following of friends, relations and lovers and whilst the tennis is of a high standard, the general public in Eastbourne tend to ignore what is a free treat as both men’s and women’s Group One matches are played here. Essex Ladies look very snazzy in what I perceive are tops designed by Jasper Conran, and their tennis is just as appealing and tight.
All matches are doubles and the players have score themselves, as no umpires, let alone ball-boys, are provided. And for the purists, Essex beat Yorkshire 2-1 in the morning session, but went on to be relegated at the end of the week with no wins at all.
