Nottinghamshire County Veterans Report Archive


Latest Report | 2003/04 | 2002/03

Nottinghamshire County Veterans Report 2003/2004

We again had a full season of fixtures but at times struggled to turn out teams due to a large proportion of injuries. All who played, including those not normally in the teams, enjoyed the experience.

34 ladies and 38 men represented the County in the ICC Leagues including one under age lady who helped out, usually at the last minute, to enable us to fulfill our fixtures.

We are always in need of more players willing to be available for selection. If there is anyone in your club interested in playing at this level, please contact Alan Hunt or any member of the County Veterans Committee.

Inter County Leagues

In this the sixth year of the competition, teams were entered in all age groups, including the over 65's, the first year for this group. We played mainly in the Midland Region but the over 55's and 60's were in the Northern Region. The results were as follows: -

Congratulations to all teams. The Over 40 (2nd) are adapting well to the high competitive standard of other 1st teams. In particular, Frances Fox and Sandra Foster who won both Ladies Doubles against Lincolnshire, Sandra also won her mixed match.  In the Over 45's, the pairing of Jacqui Burton and Mary Willis were unbeaten in 14 Ladies Doubles matches. The Over 65's were the closest to playing in the Finals, losing their return match against a Cheshire team who were strengthened by an International player.

ICC Yehlex

The Regional event was again staged at Chilwell and with a slightly reduced entry was played over one weekend. In the Over 40's we were again second to Derbyshire. The Over 45's won their group beating Derbyshire to the top spot, the basis of the win being the unbeaten Ladies Doubles pair of Jacqui Burton and Mary Willis. The Over 55's won their only match against Leicestershire to go through to the Finals together with the Over 60's and Over 65's who were both unopposed.

The Finals this year were played at the Hertfordshire Sports Village at Hatfield. The Over 45's found the opposition tough losing all four matches. The Over 55's won 1 match and lost 3. The Over 60's won 1 and lost 4 and the Over 65's won 2 and lost 2.

Our congratulations must go to Jenny Abbott for winning the over 55's Ladies Doubles at the Scottish International Tournament.

Finally, I should like to thank all members of the County Veterans Committee and Selection Committees together with the Team Captains who have managed to complete a very difficult season without cancelling any matches.

Once again a very big thank you to Barbara Storey, Margaret Tongue and helpers for catering at the Regional Competition, which helped in no small part to its success.

Alan Hunt - Notts Veterans

Nottinghamshire County Veterans Report 2002/2003

The Veterans have again enjoyed a successful year and thanks go to the players who have shown a commitment to their County by travelling some distances or by changing personal arrangements to ensure we had full teams. It must also be said that there have been times when we were unable to field our strongest sides due to injuries to key players.

A total of 32 Ladies and 30 Men represented the County in the I.C.C. Leagues with more being available for selection. Retirement from the game is not an option as we not only need players to come into the Veterans at age 40, but also players in the older age groups as injuries take their toll.

Please notify Alan Hunt of any players reaching age 40 and others who may wish to be considered for matches.

Inter County Leagues

In this the 5th year of the Competition, we entered teams in all age groups in the Midlands Region and also the two older groups in the Northern Section.

Congratulations are in order for our 3 teams - Over 40's 1st team, Over 40's 2nd team and Over 55's.

The Over 55's were competing in the finals at Milton Keynes, having won their region. A very good achievement, particularly having lost Kay Brindle and Patsy Watson the previous season and with the death of Pat Frymann in the summer of 2002.

In the finals we played two very hard fought matches, losing in the semi-final to Staffordshire by 6.5 to 5.5 and in the 3rd/4th place playoff, coming from behind to beat Avon by 17 points in a nail biting finish.

Both Over 40 teams are deserving of mention.  The 1st Team finished 2nd in their League, having only just lost to the eventual winners Derbyshire who were fielding 3 Internationals in their team.  

While the Over 40's 2nd team, despite losing most of their matches played with spirit, never losing heart.

ICC Yehlex Championships

We again organised the Regional event at Chilwell. This year, due to the amalgamation of the Midlands Regions, the competition was played over 4 days (2 weekends).

The Over 40's and Over 45's both came 2nd in their competition, losing only to Derbyshire.

The Over 55's won their group to go through to the finals at Telford. The Over 60's who went through unopposed and the Over 65's who, due to a small entry nationwide, played their competition at the finals.

In the finals, the Over 55's finished 2nd losing again to a Kent team that contained international players.

The Over 60's, who also finished 2nd, lost out to a very strong Yorkshire side. I must take this opportunity to thank Pam Wallace who turned out at short notice on the second day, due to an injury to one of the team.

The Over 65's came 2nd in their section and then won the 3rd/4th playoff against Yorkshire by 12 points.  This concluded a very satisfactory weekend for our teams.

Individually, we also had our successes this year. At the Nationals, Cyril Martin and Ray Martin of Leicestershire were runners-up in the Over 55 Mens.  Cyril was to repeat this feat in the Cumbrian, Northumberland and Kent Tournaments and the All England, this time playing with Graham Moscrop.

Cyril and Christine Richardson were runners-up in the Over 55's at Kent.

Also in the Over 55's, Jenny Abbott won the Mixed in the Northumberland and Cumbrian Tournaments with Ray Harding and won the Ladies with Barbara Dutson of Lancashire.  She was also runner-up with Pam Firth of Yorkshire in the Kent and Lancashire Tournaments.

Colin Abbott was the runner-up in the Over 60's Mens at the Nationals with Hendryk Radzivonik, and in the Lancashire with Bill Houghton.

Barbara Henley in the Over 60's won the Scottish Masters with Marian McFegan, was runner-up in the Mixed with Victor McCoy and was runner-up in the Lancashire Open with Pat Boylett.

In the European Championships last summer, Cyril Martin and Christine Richardson won the Over 55's Gold.  Colin Abbott and Barbara Henley won Silver and Colin with Bill Houghton won Bronze in the Over 60's.

Jenny Abbott was yet another of our players to represent England in the annual match against Scotland.

In conclusion, this year the workload was spread between myself as co-ordinator and Jenny Abbott as League Fixture Secretary.  We also welcomed Julia Peart onto the Committee.

We also split the selection committee into younger and older age groups, with Jacqui Burton being involved in the younger age group.

My thanks to all members of those Committees for their work and commitment during the season, together with the Team Captains who fulfilled a valuable role, not least a very large vote of thanks to Barbara Storey and Margaret Tongue and helpers for their efforts with catering at the Regional Competition which were widely acclaimed.

Alan Hunt - Notts Veterans

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