Sussex County lost to East Dorset 3-4

[<<] [>>] by Chris Weedon at Southwick
22 Aug (AC - Longman Cup)

Tournament: AC Longman Cup semi-final
Match: Sussex County vs East Dorset
Date: Thursday 22nd April
Venue: Southwick, courts 2 and 4
Weather: Attrocious. Horizontal driving drizzle all day!
Courts: Wet, but surprising quick in places
Hoops: Quads!!!!

Teams:
Sussex:
Chrissie Merrington (capt) (6)
David Gillett (7)
Steve Chapman(8)
Simon Fenn-Tye (10)

East Dorset:
Chris Weedon (capt) (3.5)
Christine Rice (6)
Mike Rice (6)
John Freeman (16)

Result: 4-3 to East Dorset

Games (Sussex first):
Chrissie & Simon lost to Chris & John (6-26)
David lost to Mike (22-25)
Steve lost to Christine (19-26)
Chrissie beat Chris (26-5)
David lost to Christine (14-26)
Steve beat Mike (26-19)
Simon beat John (26-22)

Commentary: It didn't actually start to rain until just after we arrived, bang on 9.30. Both doubles teams elected to play traditional rather than ASD, and after some early exchanges ED gained the upper hand. John played exceptionally well, and his 7 hoop break without bisques sealed the victory.

We went to lunch 3-0 up, knowing one further win would see East Dorset into the final for the third year running. Mmmmmm lunch! Liz Farrow was cook for the day, and provided a delightful light banquet. An absolutely delicious tomato tarte tatin, with all the trimmings, and DIY mango Eton mess. We had to be careful to limit our intake! And after the match we split Liz's large chocolate gateau eight ways! Still... enough of the culinary delights...

The afternoon turned into a prolonged wait, until Christine won the tie for East Dorset with her second victory of the day. Steve prevailed against Mike, and Chris was kept out of the game by Chrissie, whose win took her down to a 5. The final game was a real nailbiter, with both Simon and John playing impressively well. It could have gone either way, but some superb hitting in from Simon swung the balance.

Thanks are due to Chrissie and her team for some wonderful hospitality and friendship.