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April 2015

The Jacqueline-Kermina Cup - Villers Sur Mer, France - Aug 2014

The Jacqueline-Kermina Cup

Event: Jacqueline Kermina Cup
Format: Team of 4 ladies – 2x30+ and 2x40+
Team: Jane Conan ©, Anne Marie Hogan, Eimear Sloan, Gina Niland, Siobhan Nicholson
Place: Villers Sur Mer, France
Surface: Red clay
Date: 30-31 August
Result: France 6 Ireland 2

We arrived on Friday and received a very warm welcome from the French IC Club Captain. The club was decked out with Irish, French and IC flags. After a practice on Friday afternoon, there was a welcoming reception with Champagne and canapés. The club gave both teams a very generous welcome gift too.

The tennis started on Saturday morning at 10am with 2 singles for both age categories. The 30+ category lost both their matches whilst the 40+ category almost levelled the tie but sadly Gina was forced to retire on account of a back injury (at a set and 5/3 up). In the afternoon, there were 2 doubles matches. I stepped in to play for Gina. We won one doubles match and lost the other. The score at the end of play on day 1, was France 4 Ireland 2.

On Saturday evening, the IC of France hosted a super dinner at the nearby restaurant, La Digue de Villers. The evening commenced with a kir reception and dinner was followed by speeches from the IC of France President, IC of France Club Captain, IC of France Team Captain and myself. There was also an exchange of gifts. I gave my speech in French and this was well received. I was also privileged to be made an honorary member of the IC of France.
On Sunday morning, we concluded the tie with 2 mixed category doubles. Unfortunately, the French team proved too strong on the red clay. The event concluded with a presentation of the cup.

Overall, it was a great fixture with both sides getting on very well. The tennis was competitive. We look forward to returning the generous hospitality in Ireland for the return leg of this fixture.


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