The O70 M team, in order, comprised Tony Bevan TB, Alan James AJ, Graham Bastion GB, Richard Manners RM, Martin Vicary MV and new boy John Bennington JB.
The venue was Aberdeen squash club. MV and RM opted to travel by train, JB flew via Heathrow the others travelling by car with an overnight stay in Carlisle on the Thursday. The dangers of rail travel was exemplified when MV appeared to pull his hamstring rushing for the connection in Edinburgh and was unable to play on the Friday night against a very strong Scotland with all our players succumbing to 3-0 defeats though RM did hold game points in two games.
Saturday morning against Ireland showed an improvement with most of the players taking games against their opponents, and GB securing a 13-11 victory in the fifth. Graham serving for the match at 11-10 was foot faulted by the marker and saved a match ball when his opponent returned the favour, and foot faulted himself !
Last up was England with a team line up that looked vulnerable. AJ and GB went down fighting in 4 games while TB produced the performance of the weekend defeating the England no1 14-12 in the fifth – having been 4-10 down !!!!!!
Overall honours went to Scotland who defeated Ireland in a match that went down to the wire 3-2 in the fifth.
The facilities and the food at the Aberdeen squash cub was excellent and the accommodation of self contained apartments were right next door to the club, and very convenient. A great time was had by all.
Tony Bevan must also be commended for driving the entire 11 hour journey home on the Sunday !!!
Probably the plane next time !!!
