This was one of the most unusual journeys that I can remember since running the Notts Senior Ladies Over 50's team.
We made a slow start to the season due to injury and difficulty recruiting a 4th team member for our first match v Hampshire and the Isle of Wight away. Big thanks go to Jackie Reek for supporting our team, Sarah Usher for stepping up and playing singles and winning and Kathryn Hales for taking the team down to Winchester where they had a narrow miss, losing 2-3.
Next we travelled north to play the West of Scotland where again we lost 2-3, with Elaine and I losing our singles in the match tie breaks.
We were worried at this point about relegation however my fabulous 50's ladies team members were not down hearted. Off we went to Hereford and Worcester, who hadn't lost a match, where we came away with our first win of the season 4-1.
We went into the remaining two matches knowing we needed to win both to stay in division 2. Great win at home v Cheshire 3-2 leaving us needing to win against Leicestershire. The team of Lisa Knowles, Sarah Usher as singles players with Elaine and Kathryn playing the doubles had a very close, hard-fought match against Leicestershire, with Kathryn and Elaine winning the final rubber in the match tie break to take the match. Thank you to all those who came to support us in our home matches.
After this final win it became apparent that three teams were on three wins each and as we had one more rubber instead of playing to stay in the division we finished second and will be promoted to division 1!
Congratulations to Kathryn Hales who finished in second place in the LTA players statistic for Womens 50's Divisions 1&2 along with Elaine Masters in 5th place and Lisa Knowles in 6th place, unbeaten in all her singles matches. In such a close division every rubber and set that we gained meant everyone contributed to the victory.
I couldn't do this job without such a great bunch of ladies whose commitment and hard work made this result possible - well deserved ladies. Division 1 here we come!
Jo Higham
Ladies O50 Captain