Day One: The first match of the week was a tough tie against a strong Norfolk team. The first round of matches did not go well with tight losses for all three pairs, Ed Allinson/Will Mason, Dom Beesley/Harry Burley and Dave Scales/Joe Woolley. Again in the second round of matches, despite some very close sets, the only win was put on the board by Allinson/Mason leaving Lincs 5-1 down and Norfolk with and unassailable lead. Another win from Allinson/Mason and one from Scales/Woolley, in the third round of matches left the final score on day one as a 6-3 victory for Norfolk.
Day Two: Day two and a tie against Cheshire. Again not the start that the team wanted, going 3-0 down with losses for all the same pairs. Reminiscent of the day before a win for Allinson/Mason was the only rubber posted in the second round of matches leaving Lincs 5-1 down once again. A comfortable win for Allinson/Mason in the third round meant Lincs this time suffered a 7-2 defeat.
Day Three: Fortunately and very much appreciated by the team, Star man, Dan Cox arrived to play for a couple of days and his impact had a massive effect on the team. Day three saw a tie against Cambridge who had won both their matches the previous two days. This time the first round of matches went much better, with wins for Allinson/Mason and Woolley/Cox, along with a defeat for Beesley/Burley leaving Lincs 2-1 up. All three second round ties went the distance with Woolley/Cox winning 7-5 in the third set. Beesley/Burley, despite serving for the match, unfortunately lost in a final set tie-break, and with Allinson/Mason a break down in the third it wasn't looking too good. Fortunately the break was regained and the match was won 7-5 in the third, with Mason pulling of a "behind the back" Volley winner at 6-5 30-30, one of the best shots I’ve ever witnessed!!!! 4-2 up, Dave Scales 'subbed in' for Allinson in the last match but unfortunately went down in three sets with Mason. Beesley/Burley, shattered from the previous match, lost comfortably, leaving Woolley/Cox to claim the tie 5-4 for Lincs with an easy win!
Day Four: On day four was a tie against a strengthened Berkshire team. Full time player Neil Pauffley had arrived for Berkshire that morning and he put on a masterclass comfortably taking care of Allinson/Mason in the first round of matches. Woolley/Cox never had a moments worry winning their match easily, but a loss for the new pair of Beesley/Scales meant Lincs were 2-1 down. Into the second round of matches and Beesley/Scales found their form to win their match well. Allinson/Mason never got going losing comfortably, leaving Woolley/Cox in the battle of the first pairs. In a seriously high quality match Dan and Joe survived everything being thrown at them eventually gaining a massive win, 7-5 in the third set. 3-3 going into the last round of matches. A win for Woolley/Cox put Lincs 4-3 up and coupled with an easy win for Allinson/Mason, Lincs had the 5 rubbers needed for the win. Dom partnered brother Henry in the final match and both played very well to take their match into three sets before going down in the third. Overall a 5-4 win for Lincs.
Day Five: Normally two wins would be enough for survival but given the nature of an incredibly tight group we knew nothing but a win against North Scotland would save us from relegation. Due to other commitments Dan and Will Mason had to leave so Henry Beesley and for one rubber Andrew Isaac stepped in. Dom/Woolley took a tight first match in two close sets. Henry/Scales then played fantastic tennis to comfortably dispose to their opponents, before Burley/Isaac lost to the strongest pair of the week. Into a tense second round of matches, Allinson subbed in for Isaac and paired with Burley won a high quality match 64 in final set .Dom and Joe went down to the first pair of Scotland, before Henry and Dave won a nerve wracking match 7-5 in the final set, leaving LIncs 4-2 up, and needing more one rubber for survival. That rubber duly came with a win for Allinson/Burley, in the final round of matches, along with a win for Dom/Woolley. It meant LIncs won 6-3 and survived to live another year in group 3!!
Once again a Fantastic achievement for Lincs Men's team, and an excellent week all round! The heat the tennis was played in was very energy sapping and all the lads gave everything they had all week! A massive Thank you to Dan for coming down for two days and giving the team that push they needed! Let’s hope next year we are talking about a potential promotion to group 2!
Ed Allinson
LIncs Men’s Captain