Last weekend Norfolks men headed to Northampton for this years staging of Winter County Cup. The group 4 consisted of fixtures v Leicestershire, Staffordshire & North Wales.
First up on Friday was a tough Leicestershire team, despite a few long competitive singles matches Norfolk found themselves 5-1 down, with the sole win coming from Henden at number 6. A doubles win for Withers/McNaughton meant a 7-2 defeat overall.
Next up on Saturday was Staffordshire with Norfolk handing senior debuts to Philpott & Pantazis, who both handled themselves well.
Wins for Philpott, Henden & McNaughton meant the fixture was tied 3-3 after singles.
In an important 15 minute period in the doubles both pairings of Crawley/Samson & Henden/Watkinson delivered wins to take Norfolk to the magic number of 5 rubber wins. Withers/McNaughton followed up with a win to mean Norfolk swept the doubles rubbers for a 6-3.
Going into Sunday’s fixture v North Wales Norfolk knew winning 3 rubbers would secure safety in the division. Philpott & Henden got the team of to a perfect 2-0 start which meant Watkinson had the chance to seal the deal, he did just that with a mature performance. The fixture was ended when the group standings were finalised with Norfolk winning 4-3.
Congratulations must go to Leicestershire who deservedly won promotion with Norfolk finishing second Staffordshire third & North Wales relegated.
Norfolk captain Crawley praised his sides efforts ‘Going into the weekend with a fresh looking young squad if somebody had said to me we’d finish second and have two lads make their debut and two players pick up their first wins(Samson & Philpott) I’d have been very pleased. The team gelled as the weekend developed and I am delighted with how the boys came together on and off the court.’
Norfolk mens next gathering is on Thursday 28th December for the second edition of the Norfolk Men’s Tie Break Ten’s Christmas Challenge.
Crawley also wanted to place on record his congratulations to Sam Noble on her efforts as ladies captain over recent years after Sam has captained her last event, ‘well done Sam, I know the efforts you’ve put in and I wish you and the team well in the future.’
L-R….
Samson, Pantazis, Philpott, Withers, Crawley(C) Watkinson, Jenkins(VC) McNaughton, Henden.
Special mention must be made to say thank you to two county stalwarts; Tony Spurgeon and Jeremy Cameron. The pair who have served Norfolk over many years, as player, captain and president were present supporting the team throughout the weekend!
