HERTS. LADIES O50s TEAM ARE 3rd IN NATIONAL INTER COUNTY FINALS
Herts Ladies O50’s travelled to Pontefract with high hopes and determination to do well. In Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the championship they had come across Kent. In Stage 1 they had lost 2-1 in a close fought match but in Stage 2 Kent had strengthened their team and beat Herts 3-0. You can imagine how the ladies felt when they found out they had to play Kent AGAIN at the finals weekend, not really a balanced tournament!
The ladies were positive though and determined to give it their best shot. Sheila Blake was first on against Karen Hume, current World O55 champion. Sheila, who is still getting back to fitness after an ankle injury tried her hardest but could not overpower Karen and lost her match 3-0. Next on court was Maureen up against Mandy Akin, a seasoned England player. Maureen played extremely well, just losing the first game 15/10. Maureen came back strong and won the next game 15/11 and she was close again in the third losing 17/15 and then eventually losing the fourth game 15/13 and the match 3-1. This meant Kent had already won the semi final but Isobel went on wanting to do better against an opponent she had struggled against in the past. She lost a close first and second game and somehow found the will to win the third game 15/11 but her opponent was just too strong winning the fourth and the game 3-1.
Semi Final Match
| Nom | Home Player | Nom | Away Player | Result | Games | |
| 1-1 | Mandy Akin | 1-1 | Maureen Morrison | 3 | 1 | 15/10 11/15 17/15 15/13 |
| 1-2 | Candy Wilton | 1-2 | Isobel Smith | 3 | 1 | 15/12 15/10 11/15 15/8 |
| 1-3 | Karen Hume | 1-3 | Sheila Blake | 3 | 0 | 15/9 15/11 15/7 |
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Yorkshire beat SE Wales in the other semi final which meant that Herts would be playing SE Wales for 3rd / 4th place on Sunday. The ladies arrived at the club on Sunday determined to play their best. Sheila went on first against a canny opponent and played a strong match to win 3.-0. Next on court was Maureen who was up against an experienced player who had been National Champion and World Champion in previous years. Maureen went two games down and it looked like it was all over, but she found her game and settled down and ended up winning a thrilling match 15/13 in the fifth. So last on court was Isobel who wanted to make it a 3-0 victory. After a shaky start, Isobel retrieved well and won her match 3-1. So a 3-0 win for Herts and third overall, still a great achievement.
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Thanks to Maureen Morrison and Sheila Blake for their great team spirit and for representing the county so well. We were also fortunate enough to have the company of the Mens O45 Team who were runners up at the same weekend. Both Herts. teams watched, supported and helped each other with great camaraderie and a lot of laughs. The men losing an incredibly close final on Sunday but an amazing effort, well done to them. A joint meal was also organised for the Saturday evening and all were great company. Well done to all teams and Herts Squash for their support.
Isobel Smith Herts. O50 Captain |
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