Having embarked on a mini tour over one weekend, the team's first match of the season was at Abingdon, a tough match but a happy result. The Devon pairs struggled with the gloomy conditions of the indoor courts at the Centre at first. Les Harries and Mel Kirby, undefeated last year, were unable to recover and lost 4-6, 2-6 to Peter Hart and Roger Selby. Doug Cook, making a welcome return after missing last season due to health issues, partnered David Evans and took on Mike Mason and Nigel Tucker. It was a tough battle at first but they pulled through to win 7-5, 6-3.
In the reverse singles, Doug and David cruised to a comfortable 6-2, 6-1 win, whilst Les and Mel, stung by their loss in the first round, dominated in the second to win 6-1, 6-4. A good start to the campaign!
The folllowing day the team travelled on to Chesterfield where bad weather forced them indoors again to play, this time on covered, tarmac courts - an unfamiliar combination for them. Doug and David started with confidence against John Brown and John Roberts and took the first set 6-2. However they rapidly found themselves within a point of being 5-1 down in the second. They pulled it back to 4-4, went behind again but finally edged it in the tie-break to win 6-2, 7-6, a real see-saw of a match. Les and Mel again had a bad start and lost 2-6, 2-6 to Derek Meridith and Martin Pearson.
In the reverse rubbers Doug and David had a comfortable win 6-1, 6-4. Les and Mel lost their first set 2-6 but showed great tenacity to level at a set all and then take the match deciding tie-break 10-8.
Captain David Evans said, "There were two unusual things about Les and Mel's match. At no stage were they ahead until the very last two points of the tie-break;and in winning they continued their record of never having lost to an opposing County's first pair when playing together. As Captain, I do hope that run continues!"