County Veterans Report
Two wins and a draw were the highlights of Shropshires veterans side weekend in Derbyshire at the English county championships ,a side containing four Shrewsbury players had an impressive start by the county over 40 side gave them a narrow 6-4 victory against Norfolk Alan Nicholls putting the home side ahead with an 11-4,11-8,11-3 victory against Shropshire captain Rob Mansfield,a steady defensive display by Bridgnorths Terry Ridgway levelled it 9-11,11-6,11-7,10-12,11-8 against the visitors No3 Dave Atteridge but the Norfolk team hit back as Mike Dudley was unable to control the heavy backspin of Alan Jones who triumphed 9-11,11-7,11-9,11-9. The game swung Shropshires way as Rob Mansfield and Jane Bevan teamed up to win the mixed doubles 3-1 and Wems Rob Mansfield worked hard to beat Atteridge 11-3,11-5,7-11,6-11,13-11 in a tight battle, Jane Bevan continued the winning run with a stunning match of big hitting and a steady backhand push and block game beating Mellisa McdDonald 11-6,11-8,13-11 The current Shrewsbury doubles champions Mike Dudley and Terry Ridgway teamed up well to ensure that Shropshire were not to be beaten in another tight match the county side won 11-13,11-6,1104,11-13,13-11. Terry Ridgway wrapped up the victory with a typical hard working performance against the Norfolk no2 Alan Jones winning in 5 11-13,11-6,8-11,11-7,11-6. Shropshire continued the unbeaten run with an Impressive 8-2 victory against Cambridgeshire,the county side dominated from the start as Mike Dudley stormed to 11-4,12-10,11-4,11-4 win in the opening game against Mike Crowson,Terry Ridgway made it 2-0 with a 3 game victory against Alan Maguire ,wins for Mansfield and a tough five game win in the mixed doubles for the ever improving pairing of Ridgway and Bevan 11-6,6-11,9-11,11-8,11-8 The fifth mens singles went to Ridgway in a superb fightback as Crowson led two games to one but was unable to prevent the left handed defender storming back to win the next two games 11-8,11-8. Despite the 8-2 scoreline the Cambridge side were tenacious and yet another game went to five as Val Parkes put them back in the match with a 12-10,11-9,6-11,4-11,11-9 win against Jane Bevan in the ladies singles match,both players having chances to win earlier but finally deciding the game in the last two points. Wins for Rob Mansfield in the mens singles and with Jane Bevan in the mixed doubles wrapped up a comprensive victory. A 5-5 draw against a tough Clwyd side came next and Dudley cruised to a superb win over Whitchurch based Neville Lacey 11-9,11-8,11-8 outhitting the tricky combination bat specialist in style.Jane Bevan added another big victory to her total with an 11-9,11-7,8-11,8-11,11-7 win against Kath Dawson Clwyd recovered from a 4-2 deficit to lead 5-4 as Mark Pugh took control for the Welsh side,his outstandind topspin attack was on top form against Dudley and in another titanic battle Lacey beat Ridgway in 5.(5-11,11-9,7-11,11-5,11-8) The deciding doubles was always going to be a tough game but the Shropshire pairing of Ridgway and Jane Bevan recovered from 2-1 down to clinch the draw with an 11-8,11-4 final effort
Author: via Shrewsbury Table Tennis League
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