In an emphatic and encouraging start to the 2011-12 season, the Cambridgeshire IInd team romped to a 15-0 victory against a newly-relegated Warwickshire IV side. After a disrupted start due to a late arrival, things were immediately positive with Tom Li pressing home his singles victory after a hard-fought first end. Debutant Graham Barr also put in a comprehensive singles game, defeating his opponent in straight games to 18 and 14. Laurel Bennett showed grit and determination to turn around a first-end loss, and finished the next two games with thumping wins to 7 and 10. Once Molly Carter could get started, she also played a strong game and won in two ends.
The mens doubles partnerships of James Wilson/Daniel Bates and Paul Martell/Tom Li won their games comfortably – all finishing in two ends. The ladies found the Warks first pair harder going, with both Molly and Jessica Sharman, and Laurel and debutant Katie Morton, fighting through to win that game in three after losing their first ends. The second pair was dispatched in two ends in both games.
With the game and the bonus point secure, Cambs went into the mixed in high spirits. All three pairs – James and Katie, Daniel and Jess, and Paul and Laurel all secured their games in two straight ends.
In all then, an extremely satisfying and welcome start to a season in which this team is focused on hunting promotion. This was a good consistent performance, and we can hope that the taste of success is one we can repeat over the course of the season.
More information on the progress of the team can be found in the appropriate Team Page.