Wow - What a week !
The team set off from various points in Essex to meet up at the Avenue Club in Havant at 3.30pm on Sunday afternoon for practise.
Full Round Up of Winners and Results
The opposition looked strong but hopes were high for survival.
Monday against Norfolk did not start well.2-1 down after the first round, then the heavens opened. It was a somewhat worried Essex team at dinner Monday evening.
We stuck with the same team & drew up to 3-3 early Tuesday morning then won the last 3 rubbers through lunch to win 6-3.
Then on to South Wales where a crunch 2nd round saw Rob Carter & Rich Wire win the 3rd set champ's tie break 11-9 against the first pair to finish off the SW challenge & we ran out 7-2 winners.
Wednesday was old enemy Yorkshire & I reminded the team of the 2 occasions in my captaincy where we had led 4-2 against them & lost. No such problems though as we stormed through without losing a set !
Thursday saw the same remarkable result against Hampshire, again without losing a set.
Friday was rained out & all teams, captains & club officials could see there would be no play when turning up at 10am & seeing the forecast on local TV, i-phones etc.
Unfortunately the Referee was having none of it & kept the teams there until after 2pm,causing the worst journeys home for all in treacherous driving conditions with most having to negotiate a static M25.
Individual performances :-
Rob Carter 12/12
Tom Higgins7/7
Rich Wire 6/6
Ryan Peniston 10/12
Dave Wright 10/12
Marshall Tutu 9/12
Simon Harston 6/8
Rich Barham 2/3
Harry Randle (Great team reserve & would have played Friday) Sam Bayda (Non travelling reserve but would have played Friday)
Essex Match Results
Looking forward to Eastbourne next year where planning & preparation will be so important to give it our best shot !
Jamie Willson (Men's Captain)