Girls Under 17 County Match Report - 25th October 2009
Venue: Devon and Exeter Golf and County Club
Team: Kate Alcock, Lara Small, Kirsty Small, Katherine Howell, Sophie Herringshaw
Devon v Dorset (Devon win 17-3)
Victoria Temple Murray v Kate Alcock 11/3 11/2 11/6
Jessica Mudge v Lara Small 11/2 11/4 11/6
Jodie Barnes v Kirsty Small 11/4 11/5 11/7
Katie Scott v Katherine Howell 11/4 11/3 11/6
Walk Over v Sophie Herringshaw (3-0 to Dorset)
Tory (ranked 7 in UK U17) was too strong for Kate who played well and did not look out of place, winning a number of exciting rallies and a handful of points but sadly no games. Lara and Kirsty both played well but were outplayed and out-muscled by older girls who forced some errors which meant that although good points scored no actual games were gained for Dorset. Katherine Howell looked as through she could have had a close match against Katie Scott but a collision with the back wall left her is significant pain. Determined to complete the match she played through the pain in her elbow but went down in three games.
Hampshire vs Dorset (Hampshire win 16-5)
Emily Hume v Kate Alcock 8/11 8/11 16/14 11/8 11/8
Justine Alexander v Lara Small 12/10 11/4 12/14 7/11 6/11
Lydia Hume v Kirsty Small 11/3 11/3 11/8
Harriet Walker v Sophie Herringshaw 11/4 11/2 11/6
A much closer match against a Hampshire team depleted by injury and absence due to half-term holidays. Kate had a very close match with Emily Hume (ranked 3 places above Kate in the national rankings). Kate went two games up but suffered from stomach pains and struggled in the third just losing out 12/14. The last two games were a struggle for her but she completed the match with credit. Lara came back from two games down to narrowly win the third and then play out the game with two comfortable wins against an increasingly agitated Justine. The only match win for Dorset on the day. Lydia Hume was too strong for Kirsty in the first two games but she battled back into the game in the third, only for Lydia to raise her game to win comfortably in 3. Sophie stepped up to fourth string to allow Katherine to rest her arm and played a good game against a stronger opponent.
Gloucestershire vs Dorset (Gloucestershire win 20-2)
Ellie Lake v Kate Alcock 11/2 11/4 11/0
Emily Penkett v Lara Small 11/7 11/5 11/7
Kip Quiney v Kirsty Small 11/1 11/3 11/1
Megan Wilson v Katherine Howell 7/11 8/11 11/9 11/6 11/6
Chloe Salmon v Sophie Herringshaw 11/6 11/9 12/10
Ellie Lake played a typically efficient and devastatingly accurate game against Kate who was unfortunate to be playing at one against such strong opposition in all three matches. Lara played well against Emily competing on level terms but just not managing to gain the upper hand in the games. Kirsty (as is often the case against a much stronger opponent) relaxed and played her best squash of the day with far fewer errors and excellent length but it was not enough to get into contention with Kip who is ranked top 10 U15 and top 50 under 17. Katherine was moving towards a three love win when she was upset by some marking decisions and lost the third narrowly. Still upset she did not manage to gain composure to play as she had in the first two games and lost 3-2. Sophie had her best match of the day and very nearly won a game which would have been a fitting tribute for the effort and commitment she put in.
Final Result (points)
Devon 46
Gloucestershire 43
Hampshire 20
Dorset 10
David Small