Played on Thursday 25 April 2024 at Chester-le-Street
Durham was pleased to welcome Pendle for the first competitive match of the season, with the lawns in very good shape after the winter treatment by the council groundsmen. The teams were:
Durham: William Steadman (1), Andrew Carpenter (2), Nigel Martin (3) and George Cansino (7)
Pendle: Paul Dowdall (2), Libby Dixon (3), Mike Bradbury (4) and Andrea Widdison (6)
During a cold and cloudy morning, William and Andrew beat Paul and Libby in the doubles 7-4, 7-6, Nigel beat Andrea 7-1, 7-2, and Mike beat George 7-5, 7-4; leaving it 2-1 to Durham at lunch.
Following heavy rain over lunch time, the skies cleared to give a sunny afternoon where the spoils were shared with Paul beating William 7-6, 4-7, 7-5, Andrew beat Libby 7-3, 7-5, Nigel beat Mike 7-6, 7-4, and Andrea beat George 7-5, 7-4.
So a victory to Durham by 4 matches to 3, accompanied by much appreciated homemade cake and biscuits.