National Willmott Cup

North Middlesex represented by Jimmy Walsh and Steve Dobbins played against Cambridge (Martin Gray and Kevin Gray) and Ipswich (Ryan Collins and Jake Collins at St. Neots TTC on Saturday, 7th November 2009.

First up was a match between Nth Middlesex and Cambridge.

Similar match up as both teams had one attacker and one defender in the team.

Jimmy Walsh managed to win both his matches, Steve Dobbins beat Kevin Gray but lost to Martin Gray and Steve/Jimmy Won the doubles resulting in a 4 - 1 victory for Nth Midd.

Next match was between Nth Middlesex and the hard hitting duo from Ipswich Ryan and Jake Collins.

This was a much tougher match with both youngsters beating Steve Dobbins (excellent performances for them as both players had to contend with Steve's defense and mix of chop/float.

Jimmy beat Jake Collins fairly comfortably and Steve and Jimmy came through in the doubles 3-1 - This left the deciding match between Ryan Collins and Jimmy Walsh in a match that would literally decide the outcome of the group (Ipswich were to go on to defeat Cambridge 4 games to 1).

Jimmy went into a quick start winning the first two legs but Ryan came back strong to win the next two.

The fifth and final leg was a tremendous game with both players trading topspin attacks from both wings but it was Jimmy who came through by the tightest of margins 14-12 in this fifth to propel Nth Middlesex to the finals in Sheffield at the end of May.

The finals will involve some of the strongest leagues and clubs in the country and will provide a stern test for the Nth Middlesex players.

Jimmy Walsh