Report on the ECR Teams by Bob Wilmot

This year, Challenge Tournament teams were divided into two divisions based on 2010 performances, with Eastern placed in Division 2.
Eastern started well on the Saturday, Onley (ECR1) winning all four of their morning games.
Bocking (ECR 3) and Vics (ECR 4) won two games each and Colne Angel (ECR 2) one game.
Lunch time saw a satisfactory lead for Eastern of nine wins to seven.
Saturday afternoon saw Onley keeping up the pressure winning two of their three games together with Bocking. Another win for Angel took the afternoon result to five games but with three losses in the final round, Eastern could only claim five of twelve afternoon games.
Saturday ended with wins and losses all square at 14 games. Onley achieved six games with high points differences and a ‘fanny’ against Sussex 2.
Bocking delivered a very creditable four games including another ‘fanny’ against West Midlands 4.
Angel and Vics always seemed struggling to get their rhythm, not helped by frequent showers.
On Sunday, we picked our way through the puddles – no, small lakes – and a variety of rain-soaked pistes for the five rounds remaining. The exertions of the previous day had an adverse effect on both Onley and Bocking, only achieving one win each. Now Angel and Victorians showed an alternative response clocking up four wins each. Angel narrowly missed beating W. Midlands and Sussex, while Victorians ‘fannied’ Sussex 4.
A weekend of changeable fortunes in results and weather. The sum result of two days of hard play by our teams was 24 wins and 24 losses, with ECR ending in 4th place in Division 2.
A sterling effort: well done! On both days most showers were followed by impressive rainbows, but the crock of gold finally went to Isle of Wight.