On Sunday 25 November, Caerleon PC hosted the first winter friendly between our two clubs, with teams of 12 players on each side. The event was organised on a two-match format: 4 triples in the first match, followed by 4 doubles and 4 singles in the second. The weather was dry but decidedly parky!
In the triples Monkstone got off to a flying start recording 3 wins to 1, with Wiggy, Phil and Gareth winning their game 13-0 and Peter, Barney and Jayne winning theirs 13-2. Keith Nott, Judith and Sean were level pegging on 11 all in their game before Sean produced a spectacular carreau to win 13-11. Unfortunately, Roger, Tony and Barbara missed the bus, losing 3-13.
As the second match got underway, hopes were high and rose higher when Roger and Barbara won their doubles 13-2 and Tony won his singles 13-4. Two more wins would win the whole match. But to their credit the Caerleon players raised their game and won all their remaining 6 games to win 7-6 in a tight finish that saw Gareth lose his singles by only one point and Jayne and Barney lose their doubles by the same margin. The gap between defeat and victory can be very slim indeed.
However, it was a very enjoyable day made even better by a deliciously hearty soup to warm us up, plus lots of cake, in the bar afterwards. So many thanks to Tansy and the Caerleon members for their hospitality. We shall arrange a return fixture in the new year.
Finally, special thanks to Keith Nott and Barbara Kensett for stepping in at the 11th hour to make up our numbers.
Who ate all the soup! – Barbara, Pete and Barney of course
(hope they left some for Keith!)
