Ash 1 Match Report – VBCL Opening Weekend 24-25
By ATTC Webmaster on Oct 16, 2024 with Comments 0
Report by Michael Silver
The Ashford 1 men’s veteran team kicked off their campaign in the renamed Veterans British Clubs League Division 2(2) over the weekend of 5th and 6th of October at the Derby Arena.
Having won promotion last year, the team was strengthened by the inclusion of Rupert Bole joining existing team members Percy Collino, Farhat “Raz” Rasul and Michael Silver.
Saturday
First up on Saturday was arguably the strongest team in the Division, Wensum, who boasted the division’s highest ranked veteran, Wayne Mason.
Despite a 4-2 loss, Percy scored a highly creditable win against Mason (his only loss all weekend) while Rupert came agonisingly close to securing an excellent double over him (losing by the narrowest of margins and indeed having had a match point in the 4th game).
Although it was disappointing to lose, it showed that Ashford were up for the challenge and so that proved with the team remaining undefeated for the rest of the the weekend winning three and drawing one of four remaining fixtures.
Regrettably, Raz’s tennis elbow prevented his participation beyond the first match but with Percy and Rupert in excellent form, wins on Saturday were recorded against Foresters and Border Reivers 4-2 and 5-1 respectively – placing Ashford in joint second place with Halton TTC behind Wensum.
Sunday
Sunday’s action commenced with a nail biting match against Halton.
Although Halton’s (very) funny bat player and number 1, Anthony Bates, recorded two wins (in fact Percy’s only loss all weekend), other matches went Ashford’s way culminating in a 3-2 lead coming into the last match.
A very close match ensued with Tony Worthington just pipping Michael Silver 15-13 in the 5th to give Halton a share of the honours.
Victory for Ashford against Zygabyte in the last match meant the team exactly replicated Halton’s playing record over the weekend so securing joint second place in the division at the halfway stage.
Review
With all to play for when reverse fixtures are played in the second weekend in February, Ashford will be straining at the leash to secure a second consecutive promotion to the giddy heights of Division 1 of the league. Not bad in an over 40s competition for a team of 60+ year olds!
Results, Tables & Fixtures etc.
For more info please see the British League website: Britsih League
Filed Under: British Clubs League • News
About the Author: Published by the ATTC Webmaster
