BARC Tournament INVERCLYDE SPORTS CENTRE LARGS1-4 November 2009
"One very tired retired members report of the above event.I was approached by my old region Mid South, or collection as many of us would prefer. We had played in this event before and done very well and as I like to do my b it I agreed to go.There were a few logitical issues for me to resolve like getting from the Isle of Arran on time and getting my husband back to Prestwick for his flight to Stanstead, he has not yet retired.Eventually we managed to work everything out and I turned up on Sunday evening and met up with the usual crowd who turn up to this event.Play started on Monday morning and went through to Tuesday evening. As there were seven ladies teams the organisors managed to sort it so that each team had three games each day, with a fourth on the Tuesday for the top two teams who would play in the final.On the Monday we palyed;
Yorkshire and won 14-9 Essex and London SE and won 16-7 London N & W and won 15-8
I’m pleased that we had seven players and that all of us got some bench time, the body seemed OK but my room was up three flights of stairs so that would test my legs later.That evening after our meal we participated in the quiz, we were not the winners and then there was a fancy dress disco, with a theme of cartoon characters. A great time was had by all with Smurfs, 101 Dalmatians’, Telly Tubbies and many individual characters.Getting up on Tuesday was not to big a problem although the legs were a bit stiff; a good warm up was required.We then played;
East Midlands and won 20-7
Wales/North West/ Newcastle and won 19-4
Scotland and won 19-4
As we managed to win all our games we made it to the final and had to play London N & W. We have played this team a number of times in the final of this event and although we had already beaten them we knew it would be hard game. Unfortunately we did not manage to win. We Lost 9 – 11 and so became the Silver medallists.The day’s play was followed by a presentation dinner and a disco in the town. It is amazing to see all those hot sweaty bodies clean and tidy.The body was by now feeling quite tired but I was pleased that I had survived as well as I did and all I had left to do was a big shop before returning to the island where shops and goods are limited.In between games there was a lot of chat which is great as the games are quite competitive but off court everyone is friendly and helpful.
I have been going to this event since 1982 consequently I know many of the people who attend and as this is supposed to be the last one at Largs, where HMC&E always held the event, quite a few players from over the years turned up to ran around a bit. It was great to meet up with so many former colleagues and have such a good time. Next year it is in Leeds if anyone interested."
E-mail :- chris@ardrigh.co.uk
