[<<] [>>] by Gerard Healy at Bristol
7th July 2003 (International)

At the annual friendly fixture between the two Associations, the McWeeney trophy was firmly retained by Ireland. Just as well since they forgot to bring it with them for the prize giving!

On Saturday the Irish won the doubles 2-1 with some lengthy and close games. It was also decided to play one singles game of the best of three to facilitate some other event due to start on Sunday at Cheltenham.

The highlight of the day's play, which coincided with Womens Finals day at Wimbledon, was the clash between the Williams pairing. With Simon (aka Serena) showing no mercy in defeating Jenny with two 26tp games completed in around 2 hours.

As a result, overnight the Irish were leading 3 matches to 1 but were a game behind in four of the unfinished singles games.

On Sunday morning the Irish played somewhat better than on the previous day and eventually emerged as clear winners. On the day they won 7 of the 8 games played but up to half an hour from the end the issue was still in doubt.

Thanks for the Bristol hospitality - excellent lunches and teas, slippery lawns, Omega hoops.

We look forward to next year's fixture.

Results

Irish names first

Doubles

Simon Williams and Robert Barklie beat Jenny Williams and Tom Weston +11tp +4
Carl von Schmeider and Gerard Healy beat John Richardson and David Haslam +3 +13
Evan Newell and Jane Shorten lost to Nick Parish and Russell Bretherton -26 -5

Singles

S Williams beat J Williams +26tp +26tp
C von Schmeider beat J Richardson +8 +5
E Newell beat T Weston -12 +7 +6
R Barklie beat N Parish -4 +7 +5
G Healy beat R Bretherton -17 +18 +20
J Shorten lost to D Haslam -17 -11