Norfolk still hoping of survival

Norfolk completed the double over the Buckinghamshire second string with a hard fought, but well deserved 8-7 victory, but, nevertheless, still find themselves at the bottom of Division 1b of the Victor Sports Inter-County Championships.

Norfolk got the match off to a good start with Ian Murphy, Grahame Wells and Katherine Cooper winning their singles games and Michelle Lewin unlucky to miss out in a close second set of her singles.

The eight doubles games were halved. The men changed their usual partnership in an attempt to win their first second pair game of the season, but it didnt quite work out that way. Murphy and Alex Wyett won both their games, but Wells and Justin Gerrard narrowly lost out on both their matches,

Cooper and Amber Lillingstone chalked up good wins in their level doubles, but Lewin and Helen Newstead missed out on both their games, going under 19-21 in the third set of their second match. With the match score standing at 7-5, Norfolk needed just one mixed doubles to take the match and this came from Murphy and Lewin in straight sets. Murphy won all four of his games.

The weekends results leave Norfolk, Notts and Leicestershire occupying the bottom three league places with just two points between them. With all three teams scheduled to play each other in March/early April, it just couldnt be closer, with Norfolk probably having to win their last two matches in order to avoid the drop into Division 2.

* The Veterans Over 40s and 60s teams experienced mixed fortunes in their recent matches against Notts and Suffolk. The Over 40s lost 9-3 to a very strong Notts side with the men, Eric Plane and Steve Thacker and Kevin Lappage and Geoff Roff losing all four level doubles, although there were several very close games. The ladies doubles were halved with Anne Jenkins and Sue Mace and Jane Sheldrake and Melanie Love each winning one game. Thacker and Mace won their mixed doubles, but, overall, the high-flying Notts team were just too strong in a hard fought match.

The Over 60s enjoyed some very close games against Suffolk, but eventually won the match 9-3. Representing Norfolk were Lois Ash, Gill Holman, Linda Foster, Pam Mace, Alan Palmer, Gerald Cooke, Copper and David Pennington.

The Veterans Club, which plays on Wednesday and Friday mornings, would love to hear from any league or ex-league players (age 55 & over) interested in joining. Just come along to the Bob Carter Centre, Drayton. You will be welcome.

* The Under 15s finished their season with a 20-0 whitewash over Lincolnshire. The team has won over 100 games which is a remarkable achievement and leaves them in second place in the Shires league and in touching distance of the finals. But they may well be denied this by Nottinghamshire who have three matches yet to play and need just two to overtake Norfolk. The team was: Mark Robinson, Luke Cox, Ashley Robb, Andy Carrier, Holly Bowen, Serena Verney, Sophie Piper and Louise Thacker

* The next county moderates tournament will take place on March 16 at Easton College Sports Centre, starting at 10.00am. Further information and entry forms are available from Simon Piff on 01603 414919 or at simonpiff@ntlworld.com