Windscale ladies team were brought back down to earth with a bump last night, in their second Ladies Team game of the season, to a very experienced Carlisle team at Carlisle.

First on court was Hannah Crichton (4) playing against Linda Reay. Hannah's lack of tightness on the backhand wing of Linda, caused her countless problems, and Linda regularly picked points up, off either a slightly wayward serve, or a loose drive, dropping the ball consistently just above the tin, and out of Hannah's reach. Hannah sorted out her game as the match wore on, and had Linda on the ropes in the second and third games. However Linda's experience told in the end over Hannah's youthful endeavour, and Linda hung on for a tight win, much to her, and Carlisle's relief.                                                                                                                                                                      Linda Reay beat Hannah Crichton 3-2, (9/2,  9/10,  1/9,  9/5,  9/5.)

Jessica Winder (3) played Michelle Mc Dill, and neither player was able to gain any form of stranglehold on the match, as the early points were shared in the first game. Michelle managed to take the first by a couple of points, and the second game was a copy of the first as neither player could break away to a clear lead, Michelle taking the second also. Undaunted, Jessica tightened up her game and dominated the rallies more, forcing her opponent deep, allowing Jessica to pick off front court winners to take the third. Michelle was stung into a reaction, and Jessica's lack of control gifted the final game to Michelle, to put Carlisle two ties up.                                                             Michelle Mc Dill beat Jessica Winder 3-1, (9/7,  9/6,  6/9,  9/1.)

Luisa Mc Gregor (5) played Kath Coulthard, and led the Carlisle player by a few points in the first, all the way to game, and was playing well, with accuracy and control. Also in the second, as Luisa cruised to a four point lead, Kath was struggling to cope with Luisa's game, until unexplainably, Luisa lost the rally, then a few points, and then her game control, and soon it was all square. Kath applied pressure to Luisa's game, and Luisa made too many errors, and let too much go into the back corners, ceding court advantage to her opponent, and Kath wrapped up the match taking the next two games, for a comfortable finish.                                                                                                                                             Kath Coulthard beat Luisa Mc Gregor 3-1, (7/9,  9/6,  9/2,  9/1.)

Sarah Frain (2) was up against Sharon Chandler, and the two players seemed evenly matched. The first game saw both players driving to the back, to try to eke out some front court dominance, and it was Sarah who made more back court errors, letting her opponent away with a fairly easy opener. Sarah tightened up her game in the second, and was well on top, serving for game ball on a few occasions, however it wasn't to be, and Sharon sneaked past Sarah to claim the second. The third followed the pattern of the previous two, with neither player in total control, with either capable of out playing the other, but Sharon's experience saw her home in the end.                                          Sharon Chandler beat Sarah Frain 3-0, (9/2,  10/8,  9/6.)

Last on court, and hoping to score a Windscale victory was Lara Cooper (1) against Amanda Ward. The Carlisle player opened the steadier of the two, and Lara was soon scurrying around court retrieving balls as only she can, to no avail however as Amanda claimed the opener. Spurred on by the taxi-drivers, Lara raised her game and some long punishing rallies, soon brought the Carlisle girl back within Lara's range, and in a see-saw battle Lara sneaked the second to level the tie. As Lara upped the ante in the third, Amanda's lack of tough games told against her, and she was indistinguishable from the court walls, as her colour visibly drained, with Lara making her cover every square inch of court, yet quite surprisingly it was Amanda this time, who just hung on to take the game, a fraction of a second before sprinting to the ladies to relieve herself of her tea. Lara tried in vain to force home the fitness advantage she possessed, but to Amanda's credit she hung in, and made Lara play more unforced errors than she could afford, making it another Carlisle win, and completing the match.                                                                                                                                     Amanda Ward beat Lara Cooper 3-1, (9/4,  8/10,  10/9,  9/5.)

Summarising the evenings events, the taxi-drivers and coaches, were of the opinion, that although the match was lost 5-0, the Windscale ladies were very close to winning the match, with plenty of the games revolving around crucial points, and our relatively inexperienced girls, playing very well, against the Very Experienced Carlisle Ladies team.

Bring on the next team, say the Girls!