35+ County Tennis

2024 COUNTY CUP

Ladies Event - Saturday, 3rd to Monday, 5th August

Group 4b - Opposition | Herefordshire & Worcestershire, North of Scotland, Cambridgeshire

The Team
Karen Adams - Captain
Anna Sharp
Ros Topple
Chrissie Downes
Hannah Richards

Our first match was against the strongest team North of Scotland, whose singles players had both competed for Scotland in the four nations.  Anna played number 1 singles and Ros number 2 singles.  Both matches were tough, and the team fought hard but lost both singles.  Chrissie and Hannah played the doubles and completed one set until the inevitable rain arrived.  It failed to clear up after a couple of hours so play was suspended for the day.

Day 2 we had to complete the previous match.  Due to the weather the format was shortened to 3 matches.  We lost the next set and lost the match 3-0.  We then went on to play Hereford and Worcester.  Anna played number 1 singles and battled hard against a very experienced GB player eventually losing a tight match tie break.  Chrissie had a tough number 2 singles and lost in straight sets.  The doubles pair of Ros and Hannah had an epic first doubles losing 10-8 in the match tie break.  They then went on to win their second doubles match and Anna and Chrissie won their doubles, but we lost 3-2. The results of the two lost match tie breaks proved to be the difference.

Day 3 we played Cambridgeshire in a dog fight to avoid relegation.  Anna played number 1 singles and had a good victory in her singles.  Chrissie had a close match at number 2 and lost in straight sets.  Ros and Hannah played two doubles back-to-back and were unlucky to lose both matches.  This meant there was a result at 3-1 so no further matches were played. Unfortunately, this meant that Dorset were relegated.

The team fought really hard against good opposition and were really unlucky to lose 2 close match tiebreaks.  We made good use of the physio due to tough matches and existing injuries.  I was very proud of the team spirit and how hard we fought.  Division 5 next year and we relish the challenge to regain our Group 4 position.

Karen Adams Captain
Dorset Ladies Over 35 

Men's Event - Friday, 9th to Sunday, 11th August

Group 3a - Opposition | Suffolk, Middlesex, Avon

The Team

Richard Irwin - Captain
Rhys Hanger
Matt Coombes
Andy Phillips
Darren Loose
Alex White

2023 County Cup

Ladies O35s Team 2023 - Group 5a

Captain - Karen Adams

Anna Sharp, Anna White, Jane Bingham, Lizzie Toop, Emma Bennett

Dorset Ladies Over 35 County team competed in Division 5 of the inter-county competition in Eastbourne 5^th - 7^th August.  The team captained by Karen Adams consisted of Anna Sharp, Anna White, Jane Bingham, Lizzie Toop and Emma Bennett.

Unfortunately, Suffolk withdrew from the competition so the team were in a group of only 3 consisting of Dorset, North Wales and Wiltshire.  This resulted in Dorset not playing on the Saturday so the team ended up spending the day entertaining themselves by competing in team sport challenges including not managing to escape from an escape room!!

Saturday ended up being a total washout due to the rain which meant two matches were scheduled to be played on the Sunday.  The weather was kind until 5 pm when the rain returned and unfortunately only the first match was completed.  This resulted in Dorset still not hitting a ball until Monday morning and with a delay in the court drying out, play finally got started at 11 am.  Unfortunately, Emma Bennett had to return home for work which disappointingly for her meant she did not get a chance to play.

Matches finally kicked off with a reduced format of first to 4 and only the first round of matches to be contested.  Dorset had a great start against North Wales with Anna White and Anna Sharp both winning 4-0 4-0.  Jane and Lizzie then completed the match with a 4-3 4-2 doubles win giving Dorset a 3-0 victory.

The team then went straight on for their match against Wiltshire with Anna White winning 4-2 4-2 and Anna Sharp winning 4-1 4-0 giving Dorset a 2-0 win topping the group and gaining promotion to Division 4.

Whilst the weather was unkind and the format reducing the amount of tennis the team were able to play, the weekend was very enjoyable and the team spirit very high.  The low point being unsuccessfully getting out of the escape room which took a considerable time to recover from.  But the high point being some really good tennis in some challenging conditions of wind and the reduced format but our experience and determination prevailed.

Dorset look forward to the challenge of Division 4.

Karen Adams
Team Captain