Opening day of the season for Combined 1 was an away fixture
at Notts Northern who entered the fray with a new look team from last year which saw us go over them home and away. This was to be a different prospect with significantly
stronger (and younger!) men involved and some strong as always women.
Sam and new partner Mark competed first winning their game
against an incredibly strong pair in two ends. Lesley and Claire went out for
the ladies but came back without the win, only just losing 30-29 in the first end and
going down in two ends. In the final first round tie Rich and Karen came away
with a win but were taken to three ends, coming through strong in the third end
to seal it. 2-1 Ranmoor.
The next round of games saw Karen and Lesley come up short
in their ladies doubles but Rich and Mark (stepping onto a court together for
the first time ever, match or training) won their 21-10, 21-19 in a straight
setter. Claire and Sam played against the strongest of the mixed pairs and fell
short despite a phenomenal effort from both. 3-3 going into the final round.
The last set of games pitched Claire and Sam against the
second mixed pair, where they came through with the victory, testament to their
efforts and form on the night. 1 more win was needed from the last 2 games.
Rich and Karen played the teams’ strongest mixed pair who had earlier bested
Sam and Claire. First blood went to Notts 21-19 but Rich and Karen replied with
a 21-16 to level it and take it to the decider. The final game was nip and tuck
and 19-19 at the death. Notts northern came through to win 21-19 and take the
match to 4-4.
The
final game saw Mark and Lesley win then lose, requiring a tense
deciding third game. In the end Notts Northern came through stronger and
took the final end and the match 5-4. A great performance from both
teams and
surely some home advantage for Notts means we can take them in the
return
fixture. All in all a great performance from Ranmoor after some lost
form over
the summer a few of us realised we still had it in us to compete, which
is
always nice! The luck of the Ranmoor Hawk just couldn’t carry us through
on
that night! Roll on Paces Monday night at home, let’s get our first
victory of
the year.