Three Iceni teams at the 4NCL

Whilst Anglian Avengers have decided to concentrate their energies on fielding just one team in Division 2, fellow East Anglians Iceni have increased to three teams this season following their double promotion at the end of last season.   Both Iceni 1 and Iceni 2 were promoted to Division 3, leaving the option of fielding a third team in Division 4, an opportunity that was grabbed by team captain John Feavyour, who now has the unenviable task of finding 18 players for each 4NCL weekend.

So, on Saturday and Sunday, two Iceni teams lined up in Division 3, with the new Iceni 3 team in Division 4.   Unfortunately, one member of the latter team was taken ill on his way to the venue and had to return home.   This meant that his team suffered a default, which in the 4NCL equals ‘minus 1’ on the score.

Results were:
Iceni 1 – lost 2-4 and drew 3-3
Iceni 2 – won 5-1 and 3½-2½
Iceni 3 – lost -1-6 and won 3-2

Iceni 2 now head their section with four match points and 8½ game points.

Individually, captain John Feavyour coped remarkably well with the problems associated with the loss of one player and the worries about filling three teams, by winning both his games, including one against a 195 graded opponent.

Other Suffolk players’ scores (out of two):
Steve Ruthen    1½
Paul Botham    ½
Malcolm Lightfoot    1
Bob Jones    1
Adam John    1
Sarah Rowles    0
Amy John    1

It was good to see Somton Ukken and his daughter Anita Somton playing for Iceni again, following their move to the Midlands three years ago.   Somton won both games and Anita scored 1½.