The Veterans competition took place on a helpfully warm and sunny afternoon and it was therefore slightly disappointing that, in the event, only seven pairs entered, with The Heath and Old Ipswichians contributing the majority of them. Early betting suggested a likely final between the holders Neil Margerison/Graham Pulsford and Peter Boughton/Simon Woolfries. However, once the deputy tournament organiser's assistant - with some help - had worked out Dick Spooner's crucial equations on who plays whom, these two pairs found themselves up against each other in the same half of the draw. Inevitably this proved to be a key match - it fluctuated throughout and finally reached 14 all before the holders won through. In the other half Richard Dennis/Jim Fredenham warmed up gradually and eventually made their way to what then became an all Heath final. Margerison and Pulsford rapidly established an early lead and at one point it looked as though they might run away with the match. However, the fact that all four players were so familiar with each other's game began to tell and Dennis/Fredenham clawed their way back. However, in the end the holders had enough in reserve and deservedly retained the Martin Shortland-Jones cup which was presented by Gordon Stringer.
MJS-J Cup Report 2001-2002 by Richard Dennis
Prepared 19th May 2002
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