Millennium Fours
There was an entry of thirteen teams for the Millennium Fours played at Noble’s Mixed on Saturday 20 July on a warm sunny afternoon.
The format of play was a doubles and two singles in each match, the protagonists chosen by lot by the organisers, the total scores from the three games giving the team total.
By the semi-finals the competition was hotting up with two close games, both depending on the result of the doubles. The Noble’s Mixed team, comprising Clare Cooper, Paula Firth, Lin Ruscoe and Rebecca Teare, had a 4 point lead going into the doubles where Lilian Slinger and Chris Price needed to win 15-10 to progress to the final. In the event the Noble’s Mixed pairing of Clare Cooper and Paula Firth won by that score to take their team through 45-35.
Semi-final 1: Lin Ruscoe 15, Rachel Quirk 14; Rebecca Teare 15, Janet Monk 12; Clare Cooper and Paula Firth 15, Lilian Slinger and Chris Price 10.
In the other semi-final where a combined South Ramsey and Douglas team of Casey and Lyn Bolton with Harley and Paula Garrett, met the Ballaugh team of Ann Gale Jenny Maddrell, Mary Simmonds and Jane Teare, the scores were level after the two singles meaning that whichever team won the doubles went through. In a tense match Ballaugh came through to take the doubles 15-14 to take the match 42-41.
Semi-final 2: Ann Gale 15, Paula Garrett 12; Lyn Bolton 15, Jane Teare 12; Jenny Maddrell and Mary Simmonds 15, Casey Bolton and Harley Garrett 14.
Two wins to Noble’s Mixed in the singles meant that Ballaugh would have to win the doubles 15-2.In a close match they did win but not by the required margin to give Noble’s Mixed victory 43-33.
Final: Paula Firth 15, Jane Teare 5; Rebecca Teare 15, Jenny Maddrell 13; Mary Simmonds and Ann Gale 15, Lin Ruscoe and Clare Cooper 13.
The presentation was made by Association president, Jenny Maddrell, who thanked all those who had taken part and helped in the smooth running of the event.