Team: Roy and Joan (2-1) Steve and Liz (2-1) Matt and Penny (1-2)

A nail biting result playing against fellow promotees from last year, a very close 5-4 rubbers, 11-9 games, 248-226 points

Roy and Joan again played as first pair, and lost to a very strong first pair from AT7 who won all their three rubbers. Not disconsolate at this initial loss they picked themselves up to win their other two rubbers comfortably in straight games, clinching the last game of the night for the victory.

Steve and Liz produced another quality performance to win two of their three rubbers in straight games, again losing to the very impressive first pair.

This was always to be a tough match, as many are this year and the scores again reflected this as we won 5-4 rubbers, 11-10 games, 274-265 points.

Steve B and Tricia D stepped in to fill in as number 1, and what a good match they played especially considering they haven't played together before. A tough opening set of games against a good first pair resulted in two very close games but unfortunately being just edged out in the second game after setting. They came out fighting in their second though and took it comfortably in straight games. As last pair on court, the scores were tied at 4-4 and they cruised through the last set, winning again in two to seal the match.

Steve and Liz had a good opening set to win comfortably in two games against the Monsoon second pairing. In their second rubber they lost a very hard fought and close set in 3 incredibly close high scoring games, 15-13, 16-17, 15-13. They went on in their final rubber against the Monsoon first pair and won in a convincing two games.

Matt and Penny had a mixed night (pardon the pun), they started very well, rushing to a 9-1 lead in the first, form they didn't manage to maintain and they lost the opening set in two. Against the first Monsoon pairing they played much better, but still lost in two. In the final set they won the first game convincingly, struggled in the second and much of the third, turning around at 8-1 down, but battled through to win in three, joining Steve and Liz on the bench for the nailbiting finish.

This was an important win for mixed 1 in their battle against relegation, where every rubber may count, everyone adapting to the unusual floor surface (carpet) very well.

In the opening games, Roy and Joan started extremely well against the Knowle first pair and won the opening game 15-9. The Knowle pair then won the next and unfortunately, for us, squeezed out the next 15-11. Steve and Liz played with their usual confidence and won a very convincing rubber against the second pair 15-1, 15-5. Penny and Matt went on as third pair and went to 3 and won in the third 15-5, to leave us 2-1 up after the opening sets.

The Knowle second pair beat Roy and Joan in two well fought games. Steve and Liz took the third pair to 3 in their next and won in the third a convincing 15-2. Matt and Penny played the first pair and won a back and forth 15-6, 6-15, 15-6.

Leading 4-2 with the final set to play, only one rubber was required for the victory. Roy and Joan took their last match to 3, again being edged out 15-12 in the last. Steve and Liz cruised to an excellent victory in the match against the first Knowle pair winning a convincing 15-1, 15-3 to clinch the match * hoorah! Matt and Penny went on in their third and won in 2 a very close 15-13, 17-16. ( Congratulations to Penny & Matt for an excellent performance taking all their three rubbers - Steve )

Against the Barkers third pair, Roy and Joan won in splendid fashion in 3 games, winning in the last 15-11. Steve and Liz went on against the first pair and lost in a close three games, losing the last 15-13. Matt and Penny took on the Barkers second pair and took the rubber in the third, 15-12. Match score 4-2 up with three to play.

Against the second pair, Roy and Joan played very well again and won in three games, 7-15, 15-12, 15-8. Steve and Liz took on the third pair and won in 2, 15-9, 15-7, clinching the rubber needed for victory. Matt and Penny fought hard, unfortunately losing in two, 10-15, 12-15, against the first pair who won all their sides' three rubbers. Another great team performance.

In the second set of rubbers, Roy and Joan took on the second pairing from AT7 and played very well to win in three, 15-11, 11-15, 15-11. Matt and Penny took on the third pair and lost in a disappointing 15-4, 15-8. Steve and Liz once more showed their continuing good form to win against the first pair 15-5, 17-14.

Roy and Joan took on the young pairing and put up a good fight but were pipped at the post 15-7, 15-12. Matt and Penny were against the first pairing and had a tough fight but were also narrowly beaten 15-11, 17-14. In the anchor leg with the match poised at 4-4 Steve and Liz again showed their worth and won in a nail biting 15-11, 15-13. The score also shows AT7 1 were unlucky in they won more points than we did, but the score in rubbers is what counts.

In the first rubber, Roy and Joan played very well and won in a convincing 15-6, 15-6. Steve and Liz took on the pairing at number 2 and were runaway winners 15-2, 15-5. Matt and Penny took on the third pair and won in a close fought three games 15-9, 7-15, 15-5, despite Penny pulling a muscle in her thigh, she bravely battled through the pain.

Three nil up after the first three was a dream start and set the tone for the rest of the match. In the second set of rubbers, Steve and Liz once more showed their continuing good form to win against the first pair 15-8, 15-9. Matt and Penny took on the second pair and won with a consistent 15-5, 15-5 to clinch the match after only five rubbers played. Roy and Joan took on the strong third pairing from BW and played very well to win in three after losing the first in a closely fought, 12-15, 15-11, 15-9. Six nil!

Matt and Penny were against the first pairing and won in three 15-10, 5-15, 15-7. Roy and Joan took on the second pairing and won in two 17-14, 15-9. Steve and Liz took on the third pair who again went to three with the Balsall Common pair again pipping them to the post in a close 16-17, 15-6, 15-7 to clinch our first whitewash of the season.

The match score belied the fact that most of the rubbers actually went to three, in fact we would have won the match had we won all those we took to three.

Everyone played hard against a strong Central Sports side who had been in the Premiership the previous season and were by no means unbeatable. Lets see if we can reverse the result on the away leg.