Hampshire climb off the foot of premier division table

The home side made a positive start going 2-0 up in the ladies’ B match.

But despite Tracy Smith and Havant’s Dawn Simmonds pulling Hampshire level, Warwickshire took the last two sets to win 4-2.

The men’s second-string match was a back and forth affair.

Warwickshire took the lead three times only for Hampshire to peg them back for a 6-6 draw with wins from Steve Phipps, from Locks Heath, Dai Lewis, Mark Budd, Mick Street, Robin Hathaway and Graham Chalk.

Hampshire trailed by two sets at the start of the second day but the ladies’ A team soon restored parity with a 4-2 win.

Gemma Hayter, Jane Monaghan (Portsmouth) and Sue Lowther (Horndean) put them 3-1 up before Wendy Reinstadtler sealed victory in the last set.

With honours even it all came down to the men’s A match.

And Hampshire took a 2-0 lead in their match with Steve Musson and Chas Barstow on the mark.

Warwickshire pulled level but Lee Ward struck to move Hampshire 3-2 up.

The home side took the next two sets before Mark Thorne won for Hampshire to make it 4-4.

Again Warwickshire won two on the trot to put them on the brink of victory and, despite Andy Mitchell winning the penultimate set to keep Hampshire in the match, the home side took the final clash to win 7-5 and take overall victory 19-17.

n Easter Sunday, March 27, will see Paulsgrove Social Club host an open competition with a minimum £200 prize pot.

Entry costs £5 per person with all fees paid out in prizes.

For more information call Ian on 023 9232 4102.