[<<] [>>] by Michael Finnigan at Nottingham, 21 June 2009
22nd June 2009 (AC - Longman Cup)

With the help of a magnificent contribution from two newcomers to the team, Nottingham were able to forget their defeat by Fylde last year, and record a 5-2 win on their home lawns, playing a little more slowly than usual for this time of year. Terry Vernazza hit a fine patch of form to steer the visitors to a win in the doubles, but Clive Goode and Peter Moore, each making their Longman Cup debut, secured the two morning singles for the home side, Peter with an impressive +26 over Betty Bates. In the afternoon Terry's good form continued as he despatched |Michael Finnigan +26, but the other games were much tighter. Clive made it round and pegged out one ball against Ken Harper, but then Ken plugged away at the deficit while Clive couldn't quite manage the second peg out, keeping an impressive array of Nottingham supporters on the edge of their seats until Clive hit in while Ken was at penult, and secured the game.

Needing one more victory from the remaining two games, Nigel Hames-Keward was in trouble against Betty Bates, a long way behind while Betty was for rover and rover, but with sheer dogged determination he managed to advance relentlessly, and eventually to snatch the game +3. With the match now settled for Nottingham, Peter kept his unblemished record with a +7t against Alan Morton.

Individual Games

Nottingham names first

Michael Finnigan (5) and Nigel Hames-Keward lost to Terry Vernazza (12) and Ken Harper (18) -6
Clive Goode (18) beat Alan Morton (20) +14t
Peter Moore (20) beat Betty Bates (14) +26

Michael Finnigan lost to Terry Vernazza -26
Nigel Hames Keward beat Betty Bates +3
Clive Goode beat Ken Harper +4
Peter Moore beat Alan Morton +7t