Cumberland ladies retain their AEGON Team Tennis national title

Cumberland’s ladies have been crowned the best women’s team in the country for the second year in a row after becoming AEGON Team Tennis national champions again at The West Hants Club in Bournemouth.

Cumberland competed in one of the strongest Premier National League divisions but nonetheless reached the national finals as the country’s top eight teams competed in the knock-outs.

The north Londoners from Alvanley Gardens in Hampstead were seeded second and beat Halton from Aylesbury in the first round before defeating Wimbledon’s Wilton Tennis Club in the last four.

That set up a tough final showdown against top seeds David Lloyd Raynes Park on Sunday – a side who were fielding two former top 100-ranked singles players.

The match was tied at two rubbers each after the singles matches, with the two doubles games set to decide the outcome.

Cumberland’s pairs – Naomi Cavaday and Harriet Dart, who played at Junior Wimbledon this year, and Becky Llewellyn and Francesca Stephenson – both came out on top, winning 6-2, 6-2 and 6-1, 6-1 respectively to retain their crown.

Cumberland chairman Simon Jones said: “It is often said that it is harder to defend your title than win it in the first place, so extra congratulations to the team on their stunning achievement. We are very proud of all members of the team.”