27/3/01    DRC B 5 v DRC C 2    Knockout Cup
9/12/00    DRC D 3 v DRC E 6    Division 5
1/12/00    DRC E 4 v DRC D 5    Division 5

DRC B 5 v DRC C 2
Knockout Cup
What a night , what a match. It was a full house with both benches full and all squatting space taken-at least 4 persons could not get a proper view. This was the big one. An electric atmosphere and all the players on edge. The first 2 rubbers were shared and nobody was any the wiser as to who was going thru to the semifinals. The match progressed with the B team taking the next rubber to lead 3-2 and we were on to games six and seven being played simultaneously on both courts. Both these games went to the deciding rubber and at approx 10.10pm the scores were locked at 14 all on court one and 12 all on court two.The tension was unbearable and the uncertainty was - er, uncertain. 
All pairs had the chances to win the game and in the end both games ended dramatically at exactly the same time in favour of the B team who took a winning 5-2 advantage and the match. A fantastic performance by both teams and a night to remember. Paul -captain of the B team-was gracious in victory and said it was a really tough one. Jean-C team captain-led her team magnificently and wished Paul's team the very best and hoped they would win the cup and keep it in the DRC trophy cabinet where it has been for the last three years thanks to Jean and her team.
Those who took part in a wonderful advert for the concept of the all-division handicap knockout tournament:
B team---Julie/Paul(captain), Fran/Dave , Diane/Paul
C team---Jean(captain)/Tim, Sharon/Andy, Clare/Phil

Your reporter at courtside, Viv Lovery

DRC D 3 v DRC E 6
After the nail-biting climax to the match on the 1st December, the two teams met again on the 9th. DRC D were at full strength and feeling confident, but found themselves up against a strong and determined E team, which included Phil Bowd standing in for Gareth.

The E team took an early lead, 2-1 up after the first round of matches, and maintained their form to lead 4-2 and finally 6-3.

Helen performed strongly with Phil to win all 3 of their matches, and Angie & Derek lost only their final game against Ann & Chris.

So congratulations to DRC E for gaining revenge for the previous week in fine style.

DRC E 4 v DRC D 5
On the 1^st December, Dorset Racquets ‘E’ team took on the ‘D’ team in an exciting Division 5 encounter. With two evenly matched teams, a close result was expected, and it certainly proved to be the case in an eventful match.

DRC D suffered a setback in the first match when Heather Blandford twisted her ankle during the third game. She bravely carried on, but Val Sawdy & Tom Ko took the set for DRC E. Meanwhile Anne Duffy & Chris Cartwright evened the score, and went on to win their remaining sets without dropping a game.

Annie Mitchener & Steve Barker took their first set for DRC D against Helen Lucas & Gareth Alan-Williams, but despite winning the first game, were unable to repeat the feat against a solid performance from Val & Tom.

Heather & Dave Kelly played on, but were unable to secure a win, despite reaching 13 points in each of their last 3 games. A strong performance from Helen & Gareth took them to 10-0 in the first game against Heather and Dave, and when they won the set 2-0, DRC E were 4-3 up in the match. Ann & Chris took the score to 4-4, and it was all down to the final set, with captain pitted against captain!

Annie & Steve won the first game against Angie Bowd & Derek Millard, and at 10-8 in the second game were feeling confident. Angie & Derek would not give up however, and took the game 15-10. By this stage, the club night had finished and all eyes were on the game. A real cup-tie atmosphere was experienced as rallies were won and lost, and serves took place in absolute silence.

Once again Angie & Derek battled, and from 10-5 down fought back as the score moved to 10-8 and then 13-11. The 14th point was secured as the shuttle literally toppled over the net from Annie, quickly followed by the final match-winning point and a 5-4 victory for DRC D. The celebrations may be short-lived, however, as the teams meet again in a weeks time on the 9th!