It was a fighting Cambs Ist team that turned up to take on the almighty undefeated Leicestershire side and after the previous 12-3 loss we knew it was going to be a tough game. With all to play for as we near the end of the season, we knew the importance of that extra bonus point!
So it was a very excited (possibly due to a sugar rush) Cambs I Captain that bounced into the Babington sports hall, followed by the energetic (ahem) Paul, and then by Min’s usual chilled out stride.
The singles were always going to be close, and they didn’t disappoint. Although Paul struggled against the consistency of one of the White twins, Min glided his way to win 22-20 against the other White twin. It was then the nail biting, heart racing, couldn’t watch it was that close ladies singles that really got the crowd cheering. Both went to three sets and came down to the last couple of points. Nat narrowly missed out in a 22-20 3rd end, while Alison, playing her debut singles, managed to fight back after being a few points down to take her third set 25-23.
So we went into the doubles 2-2, already a significantly better score than the previous 4-0 result.
It was the debut match for Vicky Norris, and Daniel Bates also stepped in to play in the doubles. Although not winning their games, once settled into the faster pace of play they both picked up their games and did themselves proud.
Despite being without their strongest man, Tom Armstrong, Leicester’s men proved too strong and took all 4 games. With a strong ladies side, the pairing of Vicky and Alison also lost both their doubles. It was a good day for the 1st ladies pair as Nat and Sara stepped up their game and looked in control throughout, taking both games in two sets.
That meant that we were going into the mixed needing two games to get that all important bonus point, and the mixed 1 & 2 pairing didn’t disappoint. The new pairing of Min & Alison, followed by the regular pairing of Si & Nat stormed their games to both win in two sets. Once again demonstrating the strength of Cambs mixed.
So prior to this game Leicestershire’s worse score had been an 11-4 win, therefore a 9-6 score was a good result for Cambs I.
There were several strong performances making selecting a player of the match tough, but it deservingly went to Alison Meijers for her enthusiasm for playing singles, willingness to step into whatever position was needed, and for meeting the challenge set by winning her singles and mixed.
Thanks also to Min for baking (another ahem needed), and more importantly for also buying brownies
The team: Mindaugas Dabasinskas, Paul Heads, Simon Woodhouse, Daniel Bates, Natalie Taylor, Vicky Norris, Sara Cunnington (c), Alison Meijers.
Match report by Sara Mason.
More information about results of the Cambs I team is available on the Team Page.