Affectionately known as County Week, the summer inter county grass court doubles tournaments are a competitive highlight for players.
Having achieved promotion last year, our men were hopeful of consolidating their place in group 5 this year. Midway through the tournament having achieved wins over Buckinghamshire and Hereford & Worcestershire and a loss to eventual winners Cambridgeshire things were poised on a knife edge. If the team could win the remaining two matches they would be promoted, if they lost they would be relegated!
Sadly it was not to be and the men went down 2-7 to North Wales and Lincolnshire resulting in relegation.
Captain Dan Jones reported, "All players made positive contributions both on and off the court in another enjoyable week. However, it highlights that Devon’s over 35’s are still stronger in grass-court doubles than the next couple of generations. The younger players are already looking forward to the indoor singles and doubles event in Barnstaple from Friday 23rd until Sunday 25th November."
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Our ladies team, playing in group 4 at Havant, took on Derbyshire, North Wales, Nottinghamshire, North Scotland and Avon. In a similaar story to the men, by midweek the ladies had achieved wins against Avon and North Scotland 5-4 and a loss to North Wales 2-7. With all to play for in the last two matches, the pressure was on and the girls dug deep but narrow losses to eventual winners Nottinghamshire and then Derbyshire 4-5 resulted in 6th place and relegation.