Ladies Stage 1 – Inter-county Results – 10th November 2013
- Maureen, Brogan, Isobel, Grace, Ali
Amber
Hertfordshire hosted Stage 1 of the Ladies Inter-county championships at Broxbourne yesterday.
I feel it was a turning point for ladies squash in Hertfordshire as we fielded four young players in the team, two making their debut for Hertfordshire. Brogan Lane played number one for the team and although still only 19 has been playing for the ladies for a few years now. At number two we had Grace Gear, 15 years old and already showing such great potential, at number three a new face to county squash, Ali Hemingway aged 20 another enthusiastic newcomer, and making her debut at number 5, Amber Marshall, 13 years old, again another name to watch for the future. Maureen Morrison and myself (Isobel Smith) provided the slightly more experienced face of the team!
We played Staffordshire first and unfortunately they only had four players. I sat this game out and Brogan, Grace, Ali and Maureen all won their matches 3-0 giving Hertfordshire a full 20 points for the first match. Point of the day for me was from Grace Gear; stretching to get the ball in the back of the court, doing a full splits and then still managing to get up, get to the front of the court and pick up a drop shot to win the rally, oh to be young again!
Staffordshire then played Middlesex 2 and were beaten 5-0 again by Middlesex.
Herts then had to play Middlesex 2 and got off to a great start when Amber won 3-1 at No.5, playing some great squash. Brogan had a very tough game and had her chances but lost to Anna Babtie 3-1. Grace then went on to play Kate Russell at No.2 and won 3-1. On the other court Ali was having an epic battle against Eira Mooney and showed such grit and determination, saving match points in the fourth game winning it 18/16 and winning in the fifth 13/11 3-2. Isobel went on at No.4 and although pulling back from 2-0 down to 2-2 unfortunately lost 3-2.
Hertfordshire came top with 37 points. Hopefully Hertfordshire will be able to field just as strong a team at the Stage 2 weekend next March and gain promotion to Division 1.
Well done to all our young players, it was like a breath of fresh air to see them playing and I look forward to them leading Hertfordshire ladies squash into the future.
Report by Isobel Smith
