Dorset Inter County Squash over 55 team travelled to the Squash and Rackets Club Exeter on Sunday 22 November, to play in the first round of Division 1 South. Their opponents were their old adversaries, Devon and Hampshire.
Two members of Dorset's team comprised of Roy Widdowson and Peter Smith, winners of the main and plates over 55 competition in the recent Dorset Closed Championships.
Dorset were forced to field a very weak team due to forced withdrawal of three team members days before the event due to injuries and personal reasons. Replacements were found and drafted in very late in the day.
Dorset's first tie was against Devon. Roy and Peter Grey were forced to move up and play at string 1 and 2 respectively, a tall order at this level. It was a no contest as Devon easily won all five matches, with Peter Grey the only Dorset player managing to take a game off their opponent.
It was a similar story in the second tie against Hampshire. Dorset lost all their five matches, with Peter Grey the only player to take a game off their opponent.
This heavy loss highlights the fact that Dorset do not have the strength in depth at this level at this time. But there are encouraging signs. A number of very strong players will come of age by February 2010, when the second round in this division is due to be played. With promising candidates coming of age from early next year and beyond, Dorset can begin to build for the future in this masters category.
Full Results.
Devon Dorset
Clive Stiff v Roy Widdowson 3 - 0 9-0, 9-5, 9-4
Bob Conder v Peter Gray 3 - 1 3-9, 9-7, 9-5, 9-0
Dave Black v Peter Smith 3 - 0 9-0, 9-3, 9-5
Guy Davies v Stuart King 3 - 0 9-1, 9-2, 9-0
Steve Morrell v Dilly Andrious 3 - 0 9-2, 9-1, 9-3
Dorset Hampshire
Roy Widdowson v Barry Featherstone 0 - 3 2-9, 1-9, 3-9
Peter Gray v Paul Reader 1 - 3 1-9, 4-9, 9-7, 1-9
Peter Smith v Chris Wilson 0 - 3 5-9, 4-9, 5-9
Stuart King v Nick Holmes 0 - 3 2-9, 1-9, 4-9
Dilly Andrious v David Harris 0 - 3 1-9, 0-9, 0-9