Wed 23rd Sept, Cheltenham
Our winning semi-final team of Mick, Rupert, Martin and Richard travelled to Cheltenham for a Murphy Shield final against reigning champions East Dorset. We had reached the final for the first time, after hard-fought victories in the quarter and semi-finals against High Wycombe (3-1 at home) and Camerton & Peasedown (4-2 away). Whereas our opponents, East Dorset, had enjoyed a rather easier route to the final, with a bye in the quarter-finals followed by a walkover against Hurlingham in the semi-finals.
In the final, Ashby won the doubles match 2-0, but East Dorset were the much better team in the singles, winning 11 games out of 14, and ensuring their overall victory by 5 matches to 1, with one match unfinished.
East Dorset: Michelle Leonard (3), Johannes Hamann (3), Mark Hamann (3), Tony Green (4)
Ashby: Mick Haytack (3), Rupert Knapton (3), Martin Wroughton (4), Richard Sanville (5)
Michelle and Johannes 4-7, 3-7 Mick and Rupert
Mark 7-3, 7-5 Richard
Tony 7-4, 7-3 Martin
Michelle 0-7, 7-4, 7-3 Mick
Johannes 3-7, 7-5 Rupert (match unfinished)
Mark 7-6, 7-3 Martin
Tony 6-7, 7-5, 7-6 Richard
Match report (CA website)
