Men’s County Veteran’s season 2016
We competed in six age groups again this year using 34 different players (32 last year and 28 the previous year). Congratulations go to the Over 45s team for winning Division 1B and go forward to the National finals weekend at Dudley in November and the Over 55s team that finished equal top of their Division 1B but lost out on rubber count. Commiserations go to the 60s which finished bottom of Division 1B but had two matches, which swung on very tight tie break 3rd sets which went against them.
Yorkshire Ladies Teams 2016
Ladies Over 35 – Captain Becky Lee
After promotion last year to Division 2, we were drawn against Dorset, Sussex and Hereford and Worcester.
Day one was a close 3-2 loss against Dorset who ended up winning Division 2B. Day two was even closer this time winning 3-2 against Sussex. Day three against Hereford and Worcester didn’t start until 2pm so only 1 round was played which didn’t go in our favour. We lost the 2 singles but by winning the doubles meant we finished 2nd in the Division so all was good in the end.
My thanks to the team – Gil Kilner, Jo Wright, Louise Marshman (who may I add played a blinding singles match against a much higher rated player) Helen Myles and reserve Lou Lister.
Ladies Over 40 – Captain Becky Lee
Our first season back in Division 1 ended on a sad note. Having won 2 matches against Buckinghamshire and Nottinghamshire and losing 3 matches against the strongest 3 teams Middlesex Hertfordshire and Sussex we felt we would keep our place for next season in the top flight. However Buckinghamshire ended up winning their final 2 matches against all the odds even beating the eventual winners Middlesex.
The main squad of players were myself Gil Kilner, Jo Wright, Louise Marshman, Karen Mitchell, and Catherine Baker (who travelled to Sussex there and back in one day). Wendy Stirke & Lou Lister once again put themselves out travelling down to Sussex for our last match. A big thanks to all the players, and it goes without saying the team will be pushing for promotion once again next season.
Ladies Over 50 – Captain Belinda Turnbull
Yorkshire ladies 0ver 50s had a great season, their second in the top division. The team Gill Brook, Belinda Turnbull,Sally Bickerton & Cathryn Johnson played every match! Gill won all her singles matches.
After losing to Norfolk to whom we were away yet again, we then won every match beating Derbyshire 3-2,Northumberland 4-1, South Wales 5-0 & Middlesex 5-0.
Next year we plan to top the division! Thanks to all the team for all their efforts.
Ladies Over 60 – Captain Janice Ashman
This year we decided to put a team in to the Over 60s Women’s competition in which there are three divisions. Obviously we had to start in division 3. We had some good matches and won all four which means we go into division 2 next year. So, well done to all the players who approached each match positively and with determination. The team members were: Rosie Connell, Susan Brass, Sue Graney, Kath Green and Janice Ashman.
Our first match was away at Gloucestershire. They proved to be our strongest opposition though Yorkshire still won 3 – 1. The other matches (against North Wales, Derbyshire and Northumberland) were all won 4-0.
This was clearly a good season but we expect there will be some tougher matches next year.
Ladies Over 65 – Captain Rosemary Carter
During March, two stalwart members of our team - Charlotte Lindsay and Sandy Atkinson - reported injured and unable to play this season. For three of our matches Pauline and I had a different second couple who did not know each other, let alone played together !
However we all enjoyed the travelling and competitive spirit. The final match would determine who would become top of division 1B. Together with Nottinghamshire, Suffolk and West of Scotland we all had three wins. We came second, missing out by 0.9%!
We wish Suffolk Good Luck for the final in November.
Pauline Knight and Rosemary Carter were supported by Sue Welch, Christine Place, Anne Titchmarch and Margaret French.
Ladies Over 70 – Captain Mary Durrans
I’m very pleased to say that we have done well this year and have finished TOP of our division. We go to Dudley on November 4th to play Surrey to decide who is the best over 70s team in England. At the time of reading this report, I’d like to think It’s Yorkshire.
We have had 3 away matches and 2 at home. Our first match was away against Warwickshire away, where we won a solitary set. Our next match was away against Hampshire where we lost 3-1. We then beat Northumberland convincingly 4-0 at home, before travelling to Shropshire and had a very exciting game and narrowly winning by 1 game. Our last match against Kent at home we thought was going to be very tough, but we won 4-0. Unfortunately one of their ladies felt unwell.
I would like to thank Jackie McBurney, Nola Hughes, Margaret French and Margaret Berrington for their support and loyalty to the team.
On a personal note, I was chosen again to represent GB at the World Team Championships, where we won a Silver Medal, just losing out to the USA. Sally Beeley and I also won a Silver Medal in the individual championships, once again losing to the USA.