The men's over 75 team's opening match this season was away against the 2013 division winners Cheshire. With a last minute call up for Derek Turl due to Derek Sheppard's ill health, the team of John Weymouth, John Bennett and Tom Eastop travelled to Manchester to take on a team strengthened this season by the addition of GB player Tony Burgess.
Captain Tom Eastop said, "Unsurprisingly we lost badly but looking on the bright side, it is better that if you have to turn out a weaker team, you do so against strong opposition! We just need to ensure we have a stronger team against the weaker counties to avoid relegation."
To travel over 500 miles and have a hard match at the end would be a challenge for anyone but at 83, well, we take our hats off to you Tom!
For the ladies over 65 team, a trip to Boston, Lincolnshire started their season off, sadly with a defeat. North Devon ladies Jenny Doig and Sue Doncaster teamed up with Margaret Hammett (Yealmpton) and Catriona Batty (Topsham). First round matches were hard fought but Jenny & Sue went down 6-4, 6-4 and margaret and Catriona lost 7-5, 6-4. Jenny & Sue claimed a good second match victory 6-3, 6-1 but Margaret and catriona were beaten 6-0, 6-2 despite having many game points. Lincolnshire took the tie 3-1.