Sussex County win Southern Challenge Division 1

It was back to the original pre-pandemic format for this event, on 1st/2nd July, but unfortunately, we only managed to raise eight teams for 2023. However, this did not stop some quite serious competition.

We started with an all play all with each match comprising two singles and one doubles game, all 13 pointers. The Sussex A team quickly took the lead and only dropped one match out of their seven in the first stage of the competition. Six rounds were played on Saturday.

The first stage was completed on Sunday morning with the following results in place.

The teams were then split into two blocks, the top and bottom four and a further all play all for each block followed, but this time 19 point games were used. After the first two rounds, Sussex A continued their winning ways with wins over both High Wycombe and East Dorset and it appeared only a 0-3 loss in the last round was the only way they could be beaten. Always up to a challenge, Jon Issacs and his Sussex B team did precisely that and took pole position and the trophy.

Although rain had been forecast for early Saturday, it had all disappeared before we started play and remained dry for both days. The Southwick lawns were playing beautifully, but we did ensure that the special hoops and very tight setting used for the GC Opens on the previous weekend had been changed. Southwick ladies provided catering for the two days and the Sunday lunch Bar-B-Q was very welcome.

Bill Arliss
Manager