After 2 successive promotions in 2015 and 16, the 55’s made it to the sport’s premier division relishing the battles ahead with the nation’s top tier teams. Regrettably, we were unable to strengthen our team from the previous season but, that said, it was good that those who had fought so gallantly the past 2 seasons reaped the just reward of competing in the top tier.
The squad was Paul Andrew, Gordon Clough, Mike Egglestone, Mick Grose, Alan Jones (captain), Gary Malone and Chris Stanton (debut).
For our opening fixture we were drawn away to Lancashire, last season’s national champions. All rubbers and sets were keenly contested including 2 championship tiebreaks – but in the end we came away frustrated and empty handed with nothing to show except a few half-eaten Eccles cakes.
Our next match was home vs Devon. We were already troubled with injuries whilst they arrived with 5 players. Devon has never been out of Division 1 and it was another story of Devon just managing to win the big points when it mattered. Nevertheless, we picked up our 1st sets courtesy of some great doubles action from Paul and Gary.
Now with some wind in our sails, we prepared for battle with previous national champions Yorkshire. This was probably the only match in which we would say we were outclassed competing against international ranked players. We may have lost the match but ‘by gum lad’ – we took them to the local pub for their hospitality meal and served them up giant Yorkshire puddings the like which has never been seen before. But sadly, you don’t get points for serving giant Yorkshire puddings to the opposition!
Our away match vs Hertfordshire was undoubtedly our closest of the season and had we not lost players to injury, we would have ‘creamed’ this one – instead narrowly losing 6 sets to 4. A tremendous show from Paul and Mick and ‘congratulations’ to Chris Stanton making his county debut in this match. Hertfordshire will also be remembered for the worst hospitality ever which amounted to half a sandwich and half a plastic cup of orange juice. However, we forgot all of that when, emaciated and dehydrated, we stopped at an American Diner on our way back along the A1 and tucked into some great burgers and sticky ribs.
And so our final match was at home to Oxfordshire. By this time, we thought we were probably relegation favourites. But this didn’t deter us one bit. In true Durham & Cleveland spirit we hassled, scurried, chipped and charged very nearly securing our 1st win in the league. We couldn’t quite say ‘we was robbed’ but it certainly felt that way.
And so, for me, as proud captain of a gallant team, this is the ‘final curtain’ for me in the 55’s - on what has been a challenging but exhilarating season. Well done the lads – it’s been a privilege to lead and ‘serve’ alongside you!
Alan Jones.