Cambs II beat Leicestershire IV

The players of Cambridgeshire II evidently decided on a staggered approach to arrival at the match against Leicestershire IV, leaving the Captain wondering if team selection was going to be performed on arrival time (based on sat-nav success) rather than ability. However, once everyone was in place, the singles commenced. Rob Couch and Sam Pickup both went into their games confident, and supported with the traditionally vocal second team support, were quick to take the honours. Rob asserted himself well, while Sam having taken a very convincing first, toyed with allowing the opponent back before shutting him out. The ladies singles was a harder proposition, with Leicestershire fielding a powerful pair. Hannah Sharman and Sandra Ashcroft struggled manfully (womanfully?!) but lost both in straight games.

The match was level going into the doubles, where the men’s domination continued. Rob and Daniel Bates powered to quick victories against both pairs, with a demonstration of the communication of a long-standing partnership. Sam and Paul Martell are very quickly knitting their own successful partnership, and won both of theirs – with a tight game against the Leics first pair stretching to 27-25 in the third end. Cue much cheering and whooping. Sadly, the ladies struggled again with the rest of the Leicestershire girls being of a similar quality - Hannah and Lisa Hawes, and Sandra and Sharon Chandler all losing in straight sets.

Into the final straight then, with the match remaining in the balance – cue much nail-biting and inspirational talk. With first and second mixed going on, Paul and Sandra grasped a convincing win quickly. However, Rob and Sharon took longer to re-acquaint themselves. Before the match, the season’s statistics had been processed into a spreadsheet that showed Rob had so far been entirely consistent in losing every first end of any mixed game, and then subsequently winning. Unwilling to buck the trend, Rob and Sharon dropped the first and then stood on the precipice before rescuing two further 21-19 results. This meant the match was won, relieving the pressure on Daniel and Hannah which allowed them to express themselves more freely. Hannah showed real class and composure, and they won in two straight games despite a close second. In all, a good result for Cambridgeshire, which moves them above Leicestershire into the top half of the table. Team spirit was traditionally good, which is a bonus for a team about to play three times against the top pair of teams…

IInds Return to Winning Ways

Cambs II team returned to winning ways, with a victory against northern neighbours Lincolnshire at St Bede's on Sunday 8 November. Things did not look hopeful at the outset, with experience being well and truly aced by youth - The senior members Daniel Bates, Robert Couch (who wished to have it recorded that he was getting over a cold!) and Amanda Godfrey all lost their singles, with youthful Hannah Sharman the only player to take her game. Following a closely fought battle, Hannah's heart rate was monitored to ensure she had not over-exerted herself, but thankfully chocolate digestives were not deemed necessary get her back up for the doubles.

Robert and Daniel were keen to avenge themselves in the doubles and barnstormed their way to two quick wins, one being a victory to 5. Paul and Sam looked like a couple rapidly becoming accustomed to either other, and chose beforehand to play a more aggressive style which also brought them two straight-sets wins. The ladies however, faced stiffer resistance going into the doubles. Amanda and Hannah were overcome by a consistent first Lincs pairing, while taking the second. Sandra Ashcroft and Lisa Hawes fought valiantly but struggled to imposed themselves, and lost both despite taking the second game into a third end.

With the scores tied at 6-6, the game went to a nailbiting mixed decider, with all three games going the full length. Rob and Amanda slipped into gear and won to 19 in the third, and Paul and Sandra secured the win by settling into their groove after two very close ends to finish a fading Lincs pair 21-7. New pairing Daniel and Hannah won the first end, but failed to capitalise and faded once the match was secure. So the result of 8-7 means Cambs II get on the scoreboard, and move to a mid-table position. This is a team with some potential, once the members have settled into their roles and had more experience together. Chocolate digestives and Guiness may need to be rationed for the season though.

IInd Team Struggle in First Match

For the first match of the season Cambs II faced tough opposition in the form of Norfolk II, and this was demonstrated in the men's singles, which both went to Norfolk, although Rob Couch put up a strong fight, losing 19-21 and 17-21 in a disappointing two close sets. The Ladies were also very unlucky in the singles, with both Amanda Godfrey (21-19, 17-21, 15-21) and Hannah Sharman (11-21, 21-12, 18-21) losing in 3 after very close fights.

Going into the men’s doubles Cambs were 4 - 0 down and in need of a result, which was duly provided by Rob Couch and Sunny Loy who won comfortably against the Norfolk first pair (21-14, 21-15). Unfortunately they were unable to repeat this in their second close match (19-21, 19-21). Paul Martell and Sam Pickup were also beaten in both of their games, despite putting up a good fight against the Norfolk second pair, only to lose after a tense third set (17-21, 20-22 and 14-21, 21-16, 18-21).

In the Ladies doubles Cambs had more luck with first pair Amanda and Hannah winning both of their games (22-20, 17-21, 21-14 and 21-13, 21-10), but with Cambs still in need of some more wins the second pair of Sandra Ashcroft and Lisa Haws were not so lucky, losing both of their games (16-21, 13-21 and 15-21, 18-21).

So going into the mixed, Cambs were 9 –2 down and playing for pride. They didn’t disappoint. Hannah and Sunny, a previously untried pair set the standard with a spirited fight, winning in three thrilling sets (17-21, 21-13, 21-19). Amanda and Rob also posted a win, with a nail biting third end against the Norfolk first pair (14-21, 21-16, 21-18). Sandra and Paul tried hard but struggled against a good third pair (17-21, 16-21). Final score 10 – 5 to Norfolk.

Defeat, But Hopefully Safety for Seconds

Cambs went away to Leicestershire hoping for at least a point to finally put them safe from relegation next year. There was some dismay at the apparent strength of the Leicester side as the men's singles started. Neil Place fought valiantly with only one good ankle to lose 24-22 21-16 . Jason Lai suffered against older opposition but continued to work hard in the second end to improve on his first game score. The ladies singles went the same way with Liz Salmon having several small runs of points but not achieving enough to take an end. Tracey Hayward reluctantly declined to play singles due to a dodgy back so Sandra Ashcroft stepped in. Sandra had some excellent cross court shots that were leaving her opponent for dead, but sadly Sandra's experience is strong for doubles and her killer shots kept finding the side tramlines. 

The men's doubles showed more of a glimmer of hope when Rob Couch & Daniel Bates took an end off Leics. first pair, sadly this form did not hold to lose the third end 21-16 16-21 18-21. Neil Place and James Watkins also took the first men's pair to 3 ends, again narrowly missing out 14-21 21-18 17-21. It later transpired the Leicester pair were not on usual form, being tired from winning the U18 England championship the previous day. The second pair were vicious in their attacking and beat the Cambs Men in 2 ends each.

Sandra Ashcroft and Liz Salmon paired up and took the early lead against the Leics first ladies winning the first end. Things slipped quickly though until there was an injury in the Leicester pair. Sadly time did not improve the situation and Leics had to concede both rubbers. The second Leics ladies pair did not have much trouble beating both Cambs pairs, so Lisa Hawes & Tracey Hayward just had 2 games together.

Cambs were 10-2 down going into the mixed so with the elusive point already but of reach and sore bodies affecting Neil Place and Tracey H in two Cambs pairs there was little hope left. All 3 pairs- Neil Place & Liz Salmon, Rob Couch & Sandra Ashcroft and Daniel Bates & Tracey H lost in 2 ends each.

Sadly the brownie could not do too much to lift spirits on the way home, but when after Rob finally admitted defeat with his sat nav and the team followed an unerring instinct to the nearest pub the team's spirits lifted. After defeating Beds 2 in both fixtures this year the only way for Cambs not to be safe from relegation would be an unlikely win for bottom team Beds over league leaders Kent. Wishing the best of luck to Kent in their forthcoming match, we hope to look forward to improving our place in division 4 again next year! 

Seconds Well Beaten by League Favourites

After a rather convoluted central London journey courtesy of a quirky German satellite navigator, Cambs II arrived at the splendid Park Langley Club to face league leaders Kent III. While the men were a relatively familiar team of James Watkins, Rob Couch, Daniel Bates and Will Hodgkinson, the ladies enjoyed a blend of some new faces, and an opportunity for junior talent to get more experience under their belt.  Tracey Hayward played with Lisa Hawes, Hannah Sharman and Rachael Farrington.

Knowing that Kent were promotion candidates, and facing them on their (superb) home territory, Cambs knew that they were facing a tough battle. With four courts available, all the singles went on together, and with umpires as well it became a battle for the remaining spectators to support any particular game with our usual gusto, and keep track of the scores.  It became apparent early on that the men were going to be outgunned in their singles, with Rob suffering at the hands of a very promising performance by Kent’s Ryan Staden.  James fared slightly better, but was still beaten in two.  The girls on the other hand got off to a flying start, with both Tracey and Rachael taking their first ends.  Sadly though, the Kent ladies regained their composure and applied more pressure to win through. 

The doubles saw a collection of nail-biting games for the men.  Against the first pair, Rob and Daniel took the lead, and believed they were taking the game in the second before a late and blatant line call error stripped them of their advantage and their concentration.  In the second game, Rob and Daniel regained their composure, and asserted themselves well to take it in two – with Rob gaining his revenge from the singles.  James and Will fought hard and long, but were taken in three in both their doubles games, but only to sets in the third against the Kent 2nd pair.

The ladies suffered more, going down to straight sets in all their games. This didn’t mean that they didn’t fight though, and real effort was made to push Kent all the way. Coming to the mixed the consolation point had already slipped away, and it was clear that Cambs had a mountain to climb.  Indeed all three pairs were taken in two games, although again scores were in the high teens or sets for nearly all. 

So Cambs came home with a 14-1 loss under their belts, but again the overall score in no way reflected the quality of the games.  The players all had good hard games, and many of the scores went into the high teens.  Cambs did not feel overwhelmed, and Kent will have left knowing they’d been given a good testing.  It’s a cliché, but this will still have been a valuable experience for some of our junior players, who form the County’s future – not least with Rachael tasting first blood in the singles.

Second Team Unlucky Not to Take a Point

After their strong win against Bedfordshire in the previous match, Cambs 2 were after more points to secure their place in division 4B against Suffolk 2. However, two eleventh hour injuries thanks to the Cambs Open and the unavailability of a couple of other key players lead to yet anothed reshuffled team in this difficult season.

Will Hodgkinson and Rob Couch opened proceedings with the mens singles, but although Rob battled away in his usual tenacious style and took his younger opponent to 3 ends, both rubbers went to Suffolk. Amanda Godfrey and Sandra Ashcroft stepped up for the ladies and both put in strong perfomances and again took their opponents to 3 ends, although both rubbers again went to Suffolk.

With the score at 0-4 in Suffolk's favour, Rob Couch and Dan Bates battled away and eventually overpowered their opponents in 3 ends to take the first mens doubles. Scratch pair Sam Scharf and Will Hodgkinson combined well and clinched the second doubles in another tight 3 ender. Unfortunately both paris were unable to sustain this form and both lost the reversed games to 3.

The ladies got off to a bad start, as one of the few regular pairings on show Amanda Godfrey and Tracey Bichener lost in straight sets against Suffolk's first ladies pair and although Sandra Ashcroft and Sharon Chandler fought hard, they also lost, this time in 3. The reversed games were more in Cambs favour as Amanda and Tracey returned to form and won yet another close 3 ender, although Sharon and Sandra failed to trouble to scorers, losing yet again in 3.

This left the score 9-3 to Suffolk and Cambs needed to win all three mixed to salvage a point. Third pairing of Rob and Sandra started things off well with a straight forward 2 set win, but although Amanda and Sam at first and Sharon and Dan at second put in great efforts, both pairs ended up on the wrong end of close 3 enders leaving the final score 11-4 to Suffolk.

The score line perhaps flatters Suffolk slightly as twelve out the fifteen rubbers went to 3 sets and Cambs will move on to the next match scratching their heads wondering what might have been.

Strong Win Puts IInd Team in Good Position

On Sunday 11th January Cambs 2 played Beds 2 in a bottom of the table crunch match with the team coming worse off likely to go down.

The Men's singles started even with James Watkins finally finding form in the 3rd end to bring his singles home, but Jason Lai struggled against his cold and opposition and finally succumbed. Liz Salmon put Camb's nose ahead with a straight ends win and Tracey Hayward fought well in three ends but was eventually beaten leaving the score line equal going into the doubles.

Both teams fought ferociously as 7/8 of the Doubles went to 3 ends. In the Mens' doubles Rob Couch and Daniel Bates beat the first pair, but lost narrowly to the second pair, whilst James Watkins and Neil Place won both rubbers. The Ladies were keen to keep up the good work, Liz Salmon and Tracey Hayward were a scratch pair for the match and lost to the first pair but eventually got their act together for a final decisive push against the Bedfordshire second pair. The established pair of Tracey Bichener and Amanda Godfrey won their first rubber against the second pair in a close two ends but were nip and tuck against the first pair all the way through the three ends and piped then at the post to put Cambs 8-4 ahead.

Liz Salmon and Neil Place won their mixed comfortably against the Bedford first pair, Rob Couch and Amanda Godfrey worked hard but sadly lost in the third end. Cambs were hopeful, and not disappointed in Daniel Bates and Tracey Hayward winning in two ends to bring a very useful 3 league points, keeping Cambs in with a chance of staying up this year.