The Stage 1 weekend was being hosted by Nottinghamshire at the Park Club in Nottingham, Shropshire managed to assemble a strong team for Saturday consisting of Courtney, Merv, Eddie Prust, Trev Stevens and Ian Dinwiddy. Shropshire were against Nottinghamshire, Lincolshire and Norfolk. first match was against Lincolnshire, Ian started well controlling his match and won comfortably 3-0 to get his first inter county win, Eddie started well winning the first two games running down everything but was eventually beaten 3-2. Trevor, Merv and Courtney all played well and controlled their games to win 3-0 so a good start for Shropshire. Next up was Norfolk, Ian again started well winning the first game but a few mistakes cost him the second game to make it 1 – 1, some long rallies, good retrieving and patience were rewarded and Ian won the next two games to win 3-1. Eddie again started well winning his first game, the second game was tight and eddie lost it 13-15, the next two games were shared to make it two all and all to play for, Eddie managed to hold on to win the last game and win 3-2. Courtney started well winning the first game quickly but norfolk fought back winning the next game to level, Courntney found his game again and won the next two games to seal a second crucial win for Shropshire which ensured they would be in the promotion group for stage 2. Trevor had a tricky opponent and couldnt repeat the first match form and lost 3-0, Merv finished proceedings and seemed to start well but towards the end of the first game picked up what seemed an inocuous knock to his ankle but it continued to get worse and he had to retire hurt at the beginning of the second game. shropshire won 3-2. Sunday morning was all change with Courtney unavailable and Merv injured Phil Caudle and Damian Jay came into the team. Damian was on first and played a tricky opponent but was able to read his game and successfully cut off the drives and cross courts with delicate volley drops to his opponnents dismay. This proved a great tactic and allowed him to win 3-2. Ian couldnt pull off a final win and lost 3-0, Phil started well and battled hard and as the match went on get better and better but just could close out the third game and lost 3-0. Trevor was not feeling very well but still tried hard but was beaten 3-0, Eddie who appeared a little worse for wear managed to find the energy and shots to take the Nottinghamshire top string to a fifth game but just came up short and lost 3-2. a successful weekend for Shropshire who finished top of the group, thanks to everyone who played.

Posted on November 11th, 2011 in: News