The annual Welsh Cup for Clubs was held at Monkstone, Penylan last Sunday. Dai, Pat, Tansy, Peter, Paul Mayfield, Wally, Ray and Mr Michael North were in attendance for the RFC. The day started cold (about 1 degree) and didn’t get much warmer for the 7 teams competing for the title. There was some debate and uncertainty about how the competition would be played, before it was agreed to play a bastardised format in order to fit it into one day.
The RFC drew last year’s winners Wheatsheaf in the first round: despite a battle in the triples, both teams lost – but the RFC picked up one win out of the 3 doubles games with Paul & Tansy beating Jim & Linda Hutchinson.

With the change of format it was always going to be an uphill battle making it into the play-offs after a duff first round, but a win in one of the triples in the 2nd match against Wenvoe offered a glimmer of hope. A quick win for Tansy & Paul against Karen MacLeod & Dai Cannan upped the optimism, and with Peter & Dai playing strongly it looked like we might win a match – alas, despite playing well Peter & Dai lost out as did Pat & Mike. 

With only pride to play for (and having endured a very long day to play just 4 rounds) we agreed to play 4 doubles matches against fellow relegates Monmouth PC. A complete swap of partners saw Mike North secure a beer-assisted win with Tansy, whilst Wally & Paul M also won through in a good match. Peter & Pat (who was feeling the cold more than any of us as she was recovering from her knee op) put up a fight against a good pair, but lost out, as did Dai & Ray. With a 2-all draw against Monmouth, the battle of the losers came down to countback – with Monmouth beating us on points difference.

We didn’t cover ourselves in glory with 5 wins out of 14 - but we had some good games, and we didn’t shame ourselves either. Everyone had at least 3 games as a warm up (a joke in bad taste, given the weather) for the season, and some of us had a few beers into the bargain! Thanks to Monkstone for hosting – and well done to the Wheatsheaf on winning (and you were welcome to it given it didn’t end til 8pm).