Leicestershire Veterans Over 55s Report 29th April 2009
This Year the Over 55 County Veterans Team have continued their successful run of the last few years. They achieved second place in the A Division of the Yehlex Inter County Championships held in Loughborough in January and followed this up with a tremendous third place in the Finals of the Yonex Inter County League at Stoke in April.
Having remained unbeaten throughout the Midlands West section against Shropshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, they defeated Berkshire in the Midlands Regional Play Off to reach the finals.
In the semi-final they met Lancashire, who with several internationals in their squad proved too strong, and lost 10-2, but against Avon for the third and fourth place play-off the team proved their quality running out 9-3 winners on the day in a hard fought and thrilling contest.
Despite suffering a series of injuries the squad has proved itself adaptable and successful reflecting the strength in depth in the County. Is this the County's most successful team?
Leicestershire Veterans Over 55
Leicestershire Veterans Over 55s Report 26th March 2009
Leicestershire and Berkshire over 55s met on Sunday 22nd March to decide which of the two would go forward to the National finals of the Yonex Inter-County Veterans League. Both counties came into the play off with virtually identical records, Berkshire having won the Midlands South league and Leicestershire having won the Midlands West league.
The play off was a magnificent game which went down to the last two rubbers with Leicestershire coming through 7 - 5 winners.
Catastrophe struck early for Leicestershire when their captain Edward Hayes had to withdraw after the first losing mens with a strained back (it's his age!) but fortunately, Ray Harding travelling as reserve stepped in and things never looked back from that point. The men halved the four rubbers, the women (magnificent as usual) took the ladies 3 - 1 with the mixed being halved 2 - 2. Particularly good performances were achieved by Carole Spencer and Carol Harding in the ladies and Carole added to her unbeaten afternoon by taking her mixed partnering Richard Damon. Ray Harding playing in effect his first full veterans game since having a new hip won his two rubbers. But this was a team effort and means that the Over 55s go through to the National Finals in April as Midlands Winners.
Well done to Carole, Carol, Cathy Buckler, Audrey Preston, Richard, Ray, David Wilkins and Pete Goadby!
Leicestershire Veterans Over 55
Leicestershire Veterans Over 55s Report 21th March 2009
The oldest squad in Leicestershire completed another successful season in their Midlands West division of the Yonex Veterans Inter County League. In spite of losing their talismanic captain Dave Watts to a new hip (coming on well!) the squad posted wins against Shropshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire dropping only 9 rubbers and winning 61 throughout the competition. Particular mention must go the reserves – Carole Harding, Dave Armstrong, Pete Goadby and Shani Paik whose performances kept the usual squad of Cathy Buckler, Audrey Preston, Carole Spencer, Jan Thomson, Richard Dayman, Edward Hayes and David Wilkins on their toes and winning!
The team now goes through to a play-off against the winners of Midlands South division on March 22nd to see if they can once again represent the Midlands at the National Finals in April.
Leicestershire Veterans Over 55