Our final matches have been completed in this year’s Midlands Veterans
Leagues, and what a finale we had!
In the Mens 55+ age group, it was Northants, under captain Brian Perry who
came through to retain their title. Despite suffering a loss to Beds during
the campaign, Northants won the rest of their matches, so were drawn with
new-comers Leicestershire on 4 wins each. So it came down to the Head to
Head contest between them, which Northants managed to win 10-6. The squad
included Neil Shorrock, Tony Pratt, Mark Meagrow, & Iain Wetherell. The
addition of Bucks last year and Leics this year has helped improve both the
level of the league, and also the number of matches, but we could still
cater for another 2 teams, so if you hear anyone who might be interested in
the 2018 league please give them my details.
In the Ladies 60+ age group, Lincs were dominant in every match, and also
retained the title they won last year. The squad were made up from Mellony
Milner, Sarah Mumby, Mary Goult, Josie Richmond, & Mandy Laurence. The most
they dropped was 2 sets in any of their matches, and the ladies in this
division could really do with some more teams to play against, so again
please pass on my details if you know of anyone that might like to take
part.
The Ladies 50+ League saw new winners in the form of Derbyshire, who took
this title for the very first time. Captain Sue Grindle and her ladies saw
off some terrific opposition, and in their last match of the season were up
against the consistently strong Leics ladies, who were also undefeated going
in to the final day of play. Captain Sue played with Jane Rushby, while
Julie Guzder teamed up with Julia Burton and they managed to force home a
5-3 win to pick up the title. Other squad members that played included Sally
Hargreaves, Anne Johnston, & Judith Ashcroft.
In our final age group, the Ladies 40+, we had one of the most exciting
finishes to a season we have ever had in this competition. Last years
winners Lincs, were undefeated all year, and faced last years runners up,
Cambridgeshire. It was nip and tuck all the way, being drawn 2-2 after the
first round, then 4-4 after the second round, it came down to a match
tie-break shoot out. This was the first one that Cambs have been involved in
since the rule was brought in a couple of years ago. Despite facing a match
point down, the Cambs 1st pair of Fleur Clegg and Rachel Hill came through
13-11 to take the title, after almost 4 hours of play! A big congratulations
to Captain Caroline Thornton, Karen Cross, Teresa Caitlin, Christine
Sprowell, Emma Mills, Marketa Ullman. A photo of the winning ladies is
attached.
May I take this opportunity to thank you all for your huge efforts in
getting the teams together this winter. It has been a tough season given the
weather conditions, but you have hopefully all enjoyed your tennis when you
have been here. Thank you also for the many generous compliments regarding
the domes and lights – it has been a £300,000 investment, but I am delighted
with the new facilities, and you obviously were as well. I hope you have a
successful and healthy summer, and look forward to seeing you back at Corby
again next winter.
Kind regards,
Craig
Craig Haworth
Manager