In the massively awaited rematch at home against Carlisle ladies, so far the only team to lower our colours this season, the large and vociferous support were not disappointed, with a fantastic win by all the players against their opponents.

• Jessica - v - Linda Reay,

First match on, and Jessica set the tempo for those that followed, determined to keep her more experienced opponent on the back foot, and out of the points for as long as possible. Jessica went three points up, only to see her lead eroded and overtaken as Linda profited from a few of Jessica's mistakes. Jessica gained the lead again, but once more Linda fought back to go in front. The serve swapped hands often, as both players battled for supremacy and it was Jessica that prevailed, taking the first game 9/6. The second saw an edgy start from both players, and it was eventually Jessica who pulled ahead to lead by seven points, after which Linda hit some good winners to pull back four points, but it wasn't enough and Jessica had the second game also 9/5. Jessica was now in full flow and but for a few 'hand-outs', after leading by four points, she raced through the rest of the game to win 9/2, and take the match 3-0, to inflict Linda's first loss of the season.

Following this great start it was imperative Hannah kept up the momentum in the next match.

• Hannah - v - Kath Coulthard,

Hannah started slowly and early errors cost her points, but gradually she thought her way through the rallies, and with either player able to hit winners from anywhere on court, patience was the order of the day. Kath displayed more than Hannah and won the first 9/7. Hannah settled better in the second game and took an early lead, but Kath's service returns were regular points scoring shots and Hannah was soon seven four down, but determined, steady squash brought Hannah level, only to see Kath again advance to game ball with some accurate winners. Undaunted Hannah dug deep and levelled the score, taking the game into 'set two points', and following up with more winning serves, to take the second game 10/8, to level the tie. The third game saw Kath start the better and a series of Kath's winners and Hannah's errors, meant that Hannah was quickly seven nil down. Unflustered by the score-line, and with steady thoughtful shot selection, Hannah clawed back the deficit by five points only to lose the serve. Kath couldn't capitalise however and Hannah got the serve back and reeled off the rest of the points to win the third game 9/7. The game was up for Kath in the fourth as Hannah moved her more tired opponent around the court with well judged length and width shots, as well as well executed drops and volleys. Hannah winning this game 9/1 and the match 3-1.

Next on court was Sarah, hoping to seal a Windscale win on the night.

• Sarah - v - Michelle Mc Dill,

Sarah set off slowly and was soon five one down, but improved her squash and started to dictate play to Michelle, allowing her to pull back the points to level the score. Apart from a brief passage of hand-outs, Michelle failed to add to her score and Sarah went on to claim the remaining points to take the first game 9/5. Not for the first time, Sarah's mind wandered at the start of the second game, and a series of errors soon saw her seven nil down to Michelle, and despite being able to stop the points avalanche from Michelle's racket, Sarah had left herself too much leeway to make up, and the Carlisle player was home 9/2, to level the tie. The third game was a 'cat 'n' mouse' affair as neither girl was prepared to risk anything. Points were hard to come by as they shared the first eight between them in a tense struggle for control. It was Sarah's great retrieving and steady squash that broke the will of Michelle in the end, and after gaining a three point cushion, saw the game home to win a crucial game 9/6. At two games to one to Sarah, it was important to push home an early advantage in the fourth and this she did, pulling out a five point lead, with accurate winners from all areas of the court. Michelle was fighting a losing battle and sure enough, Sarah prevailed to win the fourth game 9/5, and the match 3-1, and make sure of the win for the Windscale team.

Hoping to put the icing on the cake, and gain more team points was Lara.

• Lara - v - Sharon Chandler,

In possibly the most exhausting game of the evening, the court coverage of both players was well appreciated by the watching gallery, as neither player was prepared to give up any ball that they thought they could retrieve. Hard hitting rallies of many strokes were the norm, as Lara and Sharon traded blows for any type of advantage, and the first game epitomised the effort both girls were prepared to give. After ten minutes, it was only two all, and a long night looked on the cards, only for Sharon to have a mini-crisis, when Lara upped the 'ante' midway through the game, to eke out a three point lead. Points and serves were swapped at regular intervals, but it was Lara that preserved the three point lead all the way to the end of the game winning it 9/6. Both girls were somewhat tired, and dragged themselves off court for a well earned breather. The second game was a virtual carbon copy of the first, neither player prepared to give an inch, or allow the other to dominate play, and therefore another close game was in prospect. Sharon got her nose in front by four points, as Lara tried some unexpected winners from outlandish positions, as if to try something different. She soon learned the lesson however, reverted to what works best for her and clawed back the deficit to go in front again by a couple of points. Once again, like the first Sharon wasn't going down without a fight, and literally ran herself into the floor, to no avail as Lara secured the second game also 9/6. As red as her top was, Sharon commenced battle in the third, determined to slow Lara down, and hopefully have something to show for her monumental effort. This seemed to be the case as Lara was soon seven four down and the match was perhaps starting to turn in Sharon's favour. Lara doesn't do 'giving up' very well, and raised the pace again, to leave Sharon hanging on, and Lara wasn't to be denied on the night, claiming a great win, with the third game 9/7, and the match 3-0, an epic game by two great athletes.

Last on court was Linda, our 'elder stateswoman', hoping to deliver the 'coups-de-grace'?

• Linda - v - Amanda Ward,

Linda, having been coaching for four hours prior to playing had her eye in from the start, and reeled off a straight nine points to leave Amanda a game down, with little chance to play herself in to the match. Linda taking a one sided opener 9/0. Into the second, and Amanda got on equal terms points wise in the early exchanges, before Linda raised the tempo, and accuracy levels, and found Amanda unable to dominate any rallies, as Linda pushed her Carlisle opponent all round the court with well crafted rallies. Linda winning the second game 9/2. Amanda was soon four points down in the third game, and try as she might; it was difficult to knock a now dominant Linda out of her stride. Indeed, Linda was forcing her opponent into all areas of the court, and it wasn't much longer, that for the loss of only a couple of points, Linda Wrapped up the third game 9/2 and the match 3-0, for the crowning glory of the night.

All in all, an excellent team win, where everyone played their part, all feeding on the momentum created by the previous match and pushing themselves on to greater effort. The 20 points to 2 finishing score-card was a fitting reward for the commitment of the ladies, and a massive help to their league title aspirations. With only 1 league game (away to Kendal) to play, the Windscale ladies still have in their own hands, the opportunity to land the Ladies County League title.

Well done Ladies, keep it up.