Despite a narrow loss to Oxfordshire, there was plenty of team spirit among the Warwickshire ladies 55s.
Just a day before the match, Tracey Davies and captain Kate Perkins were sidelined with illness but Natalie Green and Philippa Middup rallied round and stepped up at very short notice to make the trip to Abingdon with Mel Jennings and Carolyn Lindsay.

Mel opened Warwickshire’s account with a 6/0 6/2 win over Laura Hicks but Natalie was on court somewhat longer, edging out Heather Harrison in a hard-fought championship tie-break. Oxfordshire's Nikki Botterill and Lisa Morgan turned the tables in another tight contest however, just beating Natalie and Mel in an entertaining decider.

Carolyn and Philippa are tricky opponents for anyone, their skills having been honed on the tennis, squash and badminton courts, but they were unable to take a set off either pair (Kate Salter stood in for Heather Harrison in their second match).

The final result was a 2/3 defeat but everyone enjoyed the indoor workout as rain lashed down outside. Thanks to our gallant substitutes and to our opponents for a friendly encounter.

The team has now won one and lost two matches so will be hoping for a good result against Shropshire on Saturday.