County vets fail to table a victory despite Wilkinson’s heroics
THE Northumberland veterans’ team of Andrew Wilkinson, Eddie Smith, Jim Stamas and Christine Burke played their first matches in the Veterans’ County Championships’ Premier Division, having been promoted last season.
They lost their opening match 8-2 to Warwickshire, both their sets coming from Wilkinson.
Burke and Wilkinson won one each in their next game against Kent, Wilkinson and Smith taking the men’s doubles and Burke combining with Wilkinson to take the mixed - but they still lost 6-4.
■ NORTHUMBRIA Winter League champions Cramlington Casuals rested Wilkinson and Penman when they played their Tigers team.
However, they still ran out 9-1 winners with young Peter Smallcombe unbeaten, as was Marc Cotton.
Gareth Pearson won the lone set for the Tigers, beating Kate Roberts.
Old England Jacks defeated N.E.C.A’s B team 8-2 and have now won their opening four matches in Division One.
Jacob Helm and Joseph Muldowney secured all of their sets, Lynne Herrington clinching one but losing out to Bernie Morris and Ken Lee.
A close match in Division Two saw Newton B and Mount D share the spoils, Newton’s Chas Robertson winning all of his matches.
His team-mate John Henderson claimed two, Bill Edwards doing likewise for Mount whose Mike Bradley and Mick Hope got one each. Hope and Edwards were successful in the doubles.
The top-of-the-table clash in Division Three between Brandon Bravehearts and Matfen Tribunes went to Matfen 6-4.