The Over 70's men's team played Oxfordshire at Abingdon on 30th July and were accommodated the night before the match at Keble College in Oxford, a stunning series of buildings in fine Victorian style but sadly not conducive to a good night’s sleep. After a fine breakfast in the college dinning hall, reminiscent of a Harry Potter movie, the team journeyed on to the match. There was time to visit the town which has some very old buildings at its centre including a museum where Roman pottery could be handled and see the last MGB built locally in October 1980.
The match was played indoors at the White Horse Leisure Centre where the lighting was rather dim however it was played in a good sporting manner with Devon’s first pairing consisting of Ray Hinton and Ken Jones with excellent support provided by Mel Kirby and Roger Vernon. Both pairs got off to a good start with wins in straight sets. In the reverse matches Mel and Roger won the first set but lost the second and the tie break. Ray and Ken were comfortably ahead in the first set but allowed the opposition to get back into the contest and win that set. Normal service was resumed in the second and following tie break with Devon winning both. The overall result was therefore a win for Devon with a 3-1 score.
Devon Men’s 70’s matches are now complete with one win from four matches. Oxfordshire have lost the three played to date and face Middlesex at home in their final match, which in all probability will result in a win for the visitors. If this prediction holds true this would put Devon in fourth position overall.
Captain Ken Jones said, “Playing in Division 2A is tough tennis for the Devon players but most enjoyable and always a privilege to represent the County.”