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South West U17 girl’s team Match reports
Three Dorset Girls Lara Small, Justine Leadbetter and Kirsty Small were selected to represent the South West area in the REGIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS held by England Squash and Racketball on 17 - 18 April at the Coventry and North Warwickshire SC The rest of the team was Victoria Temple-Murray (Dev –ESR 4) and Emily Penkett (Glos ESR 17)
Emily Penkett, Victoria Temple-Murray, Gavin Perrett (Team Manager), Lara Small, Justine Leadbetter and Kirsty Small
SW V East Midlands (1st match)
4 Justine v Megan Sadd 1-3 - 14/12 5/11 9/11 8/11 Megan's powerful serve unnerved J and she built up an early lead but once into the rallies J played good change of direction shots and better length to win tight first. Second again Megan built up lead but a few errors from J meant easier win for M Third more settled with fewer errors and unlucky to lose 11-9 after fighting back from 7-2 down Fourth again close and J unlucky not to have forced a deciding Fifth game.
3 Lara v Madeleine Tomlinson 2/3 - 11/7 8/11 11/6 9/11 8/11 Lara looked in control in the first and had a comfortable win against the left-hander In the second a few mistakes and nerves let Mad in to build a deserved lead which was too much to recover from Third game was more assured for Lara with tighter shots to her opponent's bank hand which did not let Madeleine settle and play her game. Good serving from Madeleine won her a close fourth with errors creeping in to Lara's game. Madeleine stayed calm and won some close rallies to take the fifth.
1 Tory v Naomi Hardy 11/2 11/5 11/2Tory's power length and accuracy of drive and serve were too much for Naomi. Tory won in straight sets in 12 minutes.
2. Emily v Sophia Pinkard. 11/5 11/6 11/3 Emily went on for the decider. Good rallies drops and kills won Emily the match in 3 and although Sophia battled she was outplayed by a stronger player. Match result 2-2 in rubbers but SW win on games count-back. 9~6
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North East V South West (2nd match)
4 Sarah Dawson v Kirsty 3/0 - 11/2 11/1 11/6A very competent number 4 in a strong team had a relatively easy ride with forced errors from Kirsty.
3 Sam Ward v Lara 3/0 - 11/6 11/3 11/3Sam played a tight and accurate game that put Lara under pressure on most shots. Although Lara managed to win a number of rallies she was always playing catch up and Sam had the extra gear to win a comfortable 3-0.
1 Jade Thompson v Tory 2/3 - 8/11 6/11 11/9 11/4,8/11 A much closer affair compared to this morning's match. Exciting rallies and the both players being in the driving seat at different points in each game. Jade ran up a 5-0 start but Tory kept calm to win the first. Tory was more dominant in the second but Jade recovered in the third and though Tory saved four game points Jade won back to 1-2. The fourth also went to Jade with good play from both but some forced errors from Tory allowing her to level the match. Tight last game with errors creeping in from both finally went to Tory. A great game for the balcony.
2 Charlotte Kirkwood v Emily 3/0 - 11/4 12/10 11/7. A closely fought match with Emily in contention for most games with a chance of sneaking the second when she fought back to 10 all. The final game and match score was accurate but not a fair reflection of the closeness of the match.3~1 to North East
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North West 3/4th play off
4. Justine v Hannah Crichton 0~3 - 3/11 4/11 2/11 Justine having been asked to play at short notice played well against a strong opponent
3. Lara v Katie Lloyd 1~3 - 2/11 11/3 7/11 5/11A few mistakes on return of serve lost Lara the first but she fixed these and played a strong and accurate second. Katie picked up the pace and power and although there were some close and exciting rallies she ran out a comfortable winner in the fourth.
1. Tory v Lauren Bayliss 3~0 - 11/7 11/4 11/4Close match but Tory always in front even when behind in points at start of the first. Great serving and quick reactions to cruise through to a win in three and set up decider for Emily with NW needing two games or a win to secure third place in the Championships.
2. Emily v Katrina Burrows 3~1 - 11/7 11/9 9/11 11/8 Close first against athletic opponent with great close rallies and good racket work from both. Exciting second with both neck and neck until a serving error from Katie and two great lengths won it for Emily. Another great third went narrowly to Katrina. The fourth again was a close game, a stroke to Emily at 9-8 and a great winner won the match.
Result 2~2 in rubbers 7~7 matches it all came down to points won by each individual, 109 points were won by the South West and the North West won by 10 points with 119 giving them 3rd place.