Another year and another tough draw! This year the HH was held between the 9-14 April. The OTGS team was looking healthy with twelve potential players that would have resulted in some tough decisions having to be taken by the captain. However, through unforeseen circumstances two players had to drop out leaving a core ten players.
The weather was looking dry yet very windy and extremely cold with a north wind blowing. It did get better towards the end of the week.
Taunton’s first match was against Rossall, who were runners-up in 2005, at Royal St George’s, Sandwich at the very early time of 07:45! This was always going to be a tough match and we lost 31/2– 11/2. Well done to Jack Malden who won his first match in his first Halford Hewitt.
First round loss in the main competition qualified us for the Plate which we started on Friday. Round 1 was against Highgate which we won 2-1. Round 2 was against Trent which we won 21/2– 1/2. Round 3 (quarter finals) we lost to Merchant Taylor’s 21/2– 1/2.
Thanks to all for making the week once again memorable and to Pete for organising the accommodation, brilliant!
Team from the left going clockwise: Pete Whalley, Gary Hector, Phil Stickler, Iain Westwater, Tim Blood, Richard Willacy, Jack Malden, Dave Higginson, Mark Jenkins, Greg Whalley (absent, loo?)
It was also freezing as depicted below.
