13th FEBRUARY 2011

This match was the 14th consecutive year in which we have played against Beaconsfield.  Over the years they have beaten us more often than not, but we have won the last two encounters.

This year we came out 3-2 after an exciting final match between the No 1 strings which if we had won would have given us a 4-1 result.

 For all but one of these annual matches, our first string was Dave Cooper and to his credit he has won more than half his matches.  Yesterday, although not fully fit but with the full encouragement and guidance of his coach, Gill, he was unlucky not to win, going down 8/10 in the fifth.

Chris Goodbourn at 2  played very well to beat their captain 3/0, and thus reverse the result of their meeting last year.  Beaconsfield’s No 3, Philip Courtenay-Luck, also a Vets of GB member,  beat our No 3, Alan Thomas, who kindly came in as a last minute replacement.

At 4, Barry Skelding, a regular Vets of GB member in this event, played very well to come out the winner 9/5  in the fifth.  Beaconsfield played a lady at No 5 but unfortunately in the time available I was not able to recruit a lady from our Club and our No 5, Bob Taylor, beat her fairly comfortably.

All in all another enjoyable event well organised by our friends at Beaconsfield and rounded off with the usual excellent meal.

Jack Harris
(Non-playing captain)