After loaning the trophy for one year to Surrey, Yorkshire became the 2010 Harrod ICT Champions yet again last weekend.

 

This 43rd ICT had always appeared to be a very open event, and so it turned out to be. Although Yorkshire cruised to the final round, Surrey last year's champions fell in the second round to the better fancied Hertfordshire, while one of the favourites Hampshire were beaten by Cheshire. Buckinghamshire, the 2nd seeds, just managed to beat Warwickshire taking them into the final.

 

In the first match in the final round Yorkshire had to play Hertfordshire and was 4-2 down but fought back to 4-4. Hertfordshire then took the lead again for a 5-4 lead and then were on match point in the second boys’ doubles only to fluff it, giving the Yorkshire pair a life line which they took. Yorkshire then won this match winning the tie on count back.

 

At the same time Cheshire had beaten Buckinghamshire 6-4.

 

The second team up for Yorkshire were Cheshire and this time Yorkshire went two down by losing both mixed. Yorkshire pulled these back but then dropped both boys’ singles. The girls’ singles went to Yorkshire making it 4-4 but then in then looked to have blown it when they lost the first game in both of the next games. But in true Yorkshire fashion they fought back, and in the Girls Doubles survived a crucial match point before turning out 6-4 winners.

 

Meanwhile Hertfordshire beat Buckinghamshire 5-5 on count back.

 

Therefore all Yorkshire had to do was win the last match against Buckinghamshire but to do this they could afford no mistake. Interestingly this led to a battle between managers and coach, Mum and Dad Foster (Yorks) against coach son Stephen (Bucks) a first I believe in 43 years.

 

The Yorkshire team was in no mood for compromise and came all guns blazing and made no doubt about the first game. Buckinghamshire won one back but then lost the next four matches to give Yorkshire an unassailable 5-1 lead. Yorkshire eventually won the match 7-3 to take the Champions trophy.

 

This was Cheshire’s first appearance in a final, and they eventually finished second by beating Hertfordshire 6-4 so a big well done to them too.

 

But it is not an event just for the winners and many counties went away winners by achieving higher positions than ever before. It was well done to everyone and a big thank you to players, parents, coaches, managers and volunteers without whom this magnificent event would not be possible.