The South West County Challenge

The Cornwall team travelled to Wellington on Saturday to take part in the friendly matches organised by our coach, James Elkin, to give county players some long awaited competitive play. 

Harry, Tom, James, Elliot, Jack and Josh, with Joanna and Mollie

First up were a strong Avon team and it was a tough call in the singles, although Mollie put up a great fight, followed by Joanna having a good win in three ends. All four doubles games went Avon’s way, but Harry and stand-in vet Launa triumphed in the first mixed.   

The next match proved even harder against favourites Gloucestershire, with Harry battling a difficult first singles, then Mollie had to unfortunately pull out due to injury, but Joanna once more flew the flag by winning again at the second singles, Tom and James narrowly losing the second mens.

Tom and James in action

Somerset were the last match at the end of a long day, and with 2 conceded games and injuries to Elliot and Mollie, it was hard for the singles players, although there were 3 Enders for both Jack and Joanna. Despite “our” 2 borrowed ladies just losing, Tom and James won their mens comfortably, and Tom and Launa followed this up with an accomplished victory at first mixed. The last game of the day saw Jack and Joanna win in three to give Joanna an excellent hat-trick of victories on the day.

Jack and Joanna winning

Overall a challenging day all round, but a great chance for match-play to test out partnerships, skills and fitness levels, and one that saw the Cornish players more than rise to the occasion.

The team - Mollie Bailey, Joanna Vyvyan, Tom Lyle, James Whetter, Josh Richards, Jack, Elliot and Harry Dyer.