|
RACHEL CLEANS UP!
Cornwall II were narrowly beaten 9-6 on Saturday by a strong Guernsey II team, in a game that saw Rachel Irish (Newquay) win all of her 4 rubbers. The match did not start well for Cornwall with 17 year old Shane Maton (Kit Hill), Dave Harrington (Liskeard) and Rachel Hobbs (Bude) losing their singles, although some games were close, with the only success being Rachel Irish’s 6-11, 11-5, 11-5 victory over Linda Green. Going into the level doubles 3-1 down, Cornwall started well with Dave Harrington partnering Robert Freer (Liskeard) beating Guernsey. No. 2 pairing Chris Bragun and Nick Merriem 10-15, 15-7, 15-9, and No. 1 pairing Andy Orme and Jake Mann 13-15,15-4,15-8. Unfortunately, despite very close games, Pete Bazin (Truro) and Nigel Stephens (Liskeard) narrowly lost out to Orme and Hann 9-15, 15-6, 13-15 & Bragun & Merriem 18-16, 8-15, 10-15. Rachel Irish picked up the tempo partnering Cornwall over 55’s veteran Vera Nancekivel (Liskeard) and beat Guernsey No. 1 pair Lyna Guilbert and Linda Green 15-9, 5-15, 15-8, and No. 2 pair Staphanine Stuart and Lorraine Roller 17-15, 15-3. Cornwall’s second pairing of Lorna Riggs (Newquay) and 17 year old Hayley Curtis (First Edition) lost out to Stuart & Roller 9-15, 8-15 and Guilbert & Green 7-15, 6-15. After tying the match at 5-5, Cornwall went into the mixed 7-5 down, needing one more rubber to obtain a match point. This swifty game as Rachel Irish and Pete Bazin beat Andy Orme and Lynda Guilbert 12-15, 15-7, 15-6. Unfortunately, Shane Maton and Lorna Riggs lost to Chris Bragun and Stephanie Stuart 9-15, 8-15 and Robert Freer and Rachel Hobbs lost to Jake Mann and Linda Green 7-15, 13-15 to leave the match score at 9-6 in Guernsey’s favour. Despite losing, this was a much improved performance from Cornwall, with a team that included a blend of youth and experience, against a Guernsey team which is by far the strongest in the division, and we nearly gained victory. Cornwall II’s next match is against local rivals, Devon, at Torquay Town Hall on December 18th as the team looks to go one step better with a win. Robert Freer Captain |