Cumbria Under 17 Girls

Trophy Final; March 20^th 2011. Leicester Squash Club.

Left to right; Megan (Windscale), Victoria (Penrith), Hannah, Linda (coach), Jessica, Luisa (all Windscale)

Our County girls under 17 team made the long trip down to Leicester Squash Club, for this year's Trophy final, not quite as far as last year (Beaconsfield, just outside London) but not far off, with their trusty band of supporters as well as chauffeurs.

The girls were up against Leicestershire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire, these last two also last year's opponents, so it was going to be a tough day of squash for the girls, with three hard games.

First up were Leicestershire, and after we had beaten them in the qualifier for this final, the girls were hopeful of a good result. The Leicestershire order was changed slightly from previously (!) and they pulled off a narrow 3-2 win, with only Megan Singleton (5) 3-0, and Luisa Mc Gregor (3) 3-1, both Windscale, winning their respective games. Jessica Winder (1) lost 3-0, Hannah Crichton (2) lost 3-1, both Windscale, and Victoria Watson (4) lost 3-1, from Penrith. Tie lost to Leicestershire 3-2, (10 games to 8).

After a quick bite to eat it was back on court against Buckinghamshire. Another defeat, unfortunately with perhaps the closeness to finishing eating and playing having a bearing on this match, in fact one of the girls felt physically sick, having to have a lie down and sleep following her game, with two of the others feeling unwell also. Only Jessica Winder won for Cumbria 3-0, with the others picking up games, but not enough to win the tie. Tie lost to Buckinghamshire 4-1, (12/7).

Last match was against Hampshire, who in their first two games had swept all before them beating Buckinghamshire and Leicestershire, and led the points table. The Cumbrian girls were up for the fight and determined to finish with a good result, and see where it got them. With no ill effects now apparent the girls were unstoppable, with wins for Megan 3-2, Victoria 3-1, Hannah 3-1 and Jessica 3-0, with Luisa just missing out 3-2. These winning points (19) were the highest team points scored on the day by any team, and lifted Cumbria up to third place in the final on 34 points, whilst Hampshire being held to only 7 points denied them the title. Tie won by Cumbria 4-1, (14/7).

Leicestershire won the Trophy with 40 points, second were Hampshire on 37 points, Cumbria were third on 34 points and Buckinghamshire were fourth on 32 points.

This completes the Cumbrian Girls exploits again for this year, once again many thanks to our very generous sponsor Thomas Graham & Sons Ltd, as without his continued support of all the County junior teams, competitions like this would not be possible.