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Unfortunately the Ireland women withdrew with late notice but the remaining
teams made the most of their matches. Scotland overcame Wales 3/2 in the first
match to set the standard with full International Senga Macfie at no. 1 in a
powerful line-up. England also overcame Wales who were stronger than they had
been for some time. Jacky Jones lost at 5th string in the 4/1 win so slight
advantage to the England. With the courts bedecked in St. Georges' flags and
bunting, and with enthusiastic support, the England team turned what looked a
50 / 50 match into a drubbing. Solid wins from Stephanie Marriott, Andrea
Santamaria, Diana Parums and Carol Page and the icing on the cake a top string
win for Surrey Champion Sam Willis over Macfie completed the victory.
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The Mens 50s were at full strength but with former World Champion Peter
Alexander (Suffolk) and former National Champion Dulip Adhihetty (Middx) both
recovering from injuries, it was decided they would share the no. 5 duties. As
it was the rest of the team, captain Stuart Hardy (Middx), Mark Cowley,
(Southgate SRC and Middx) – GB O50s Champion, Chris Harland (Yorks) and Open
and National Champion Ian Bradburn (Lancs) were not seriously threatened and
recorded 5 – 0 wins against Ireland then Wales before completing their clean
sweep against hosts Scotland. The team actually only dropped four games over
the entire weekend in a committed and professional display played in great
spirit.
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The Men's 45s side have completely put behind them the reversal s of a few
years ago when Wales won the Internationals twice and this new team with four
debut players continued the trend. Captain Greg Pearman (Surrey) had Eammon
Price (Herts), Greg Loach (Derbys), John Cordeaux (Norfolk), Richard Millman
(Norfolk) – back from his club in the USA for his first England caps – and
Darren Withey (Oxons). Only Pearman and Loach had played in this fixture before
and there were some tricky matches to overcome. Ireland were despatched 5-0 and
the potentially difficult Wales tie also resulted in a whitewash with Loach
being very clinical with Wales champion Steve Wall at 3rd. string. Scotland
were also whitewashed with top Scot Alan Thomson unable to repeat his heroics
of the over 40s Internationals where he recorded three wins a top string. The
match was rounded up with Price recovering from two down to beat Scottish
champion Jimmy Wells in five entertaining games.
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