The team was: Michelle Dutton, Nadine Doutre, Debbie Hale, Rachel Magory, Catherine Mckeracher
Day 1 & 2 v Berkshire
Day 1 was a stop start day with intervals of rain. So we only completed one singles and 4 games of the second. Nadine started her debut with her famous doublehanded backhands both sides. She lost the first set and at 2-1 her opponent had a sudden injury and needed medical timeout. With a gutsy performance from her opponent to continue, Nadine found a way through a difficult match and won in the champs tiebreak.
Rachel led the second singles and continued on Sunday morning to face a strong opponent losing in a champs tiebreak after winning the 2nd set.
Down to the doubles! Only one doubles was played due to time. Catherine and Debbie stormed to a 5-2 lead to be edged back but secured the first set 7-5 and then won the second 6-2.
Day 2 v Kent
Following the doubles v Berkshire, we went onto face Kent, a tough team, and Michelle led at no2 singles and faced a strong opponent losing out. Debbie took on the no1, another strong opponent, losing out 1&3. To the doubles, Catherine and Nadine won the 1st set and lost the second and narrowly lost out in the champs tiebreak.
Day 3 v Durham and Cleveland
On the last day we faced Durham and Cleveland and as we had secured staying in the group, it was a chance to finish 2nd.
Rachel started strong leading the first set but unfortunately lost out 7-6 and then pulled a muscle and although she continued to compete, she lost the singles. Michelle took on Lydia Perkins and had a great battle and although the games were close she couldn’t get the games required.
So 2-0 down. Tactically going for all the doubles Catherine and Debbie came out against the singles doubles pair and started well then again couldn’t sneak the set losing 7-6 and then the match ran away from them in the second. So the team was losing 1-3, but continued to play out the doubles and won the other two finishing the match 2-3.
It was a real battle both on-court and the weather, and we had some narrow defeats, but had a great weekend of tennis and staying was a great job.
Debbie Hale, Over 35s Captain
