Two of Cumbria’s junior squash teams have made county history this week as they became the first juniors to qualify for the national inter-county finals.
On February 3rd 2013, at Carlisle Squash Club, the U13 boys’ team came through a tough four way fixture against strong counties Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Northumbria, beating all of the teams to qualify for the final.
Carlisle players Adam Goad and Keane Appleton plus Wigton representative George Kemp won all their games to give the team safe passage. The team’s number one Ross Singleton, of Windscale Squash club won two out of three matches, with the number two, Wigton’s Adam Gill beating his Derbyshire opponent to aid his teams cause.
U13 team manager Bruce Kemp said: “Well done to the boys who beat three strong opponents to reach the finals. All the players played a part in this tremendous day for Cumbria Junior Squash; they all stood up to the plate and played well for the team. Also not to forget Wigton’s James Wilkinson who played in the first round but had county cricket commitments last weekend.”
The U19 girls also progressed through to their finals on 27th January, finishing second in their group to Northumbria. They beat Yorkshire and Cheshire to qualify.
Windscale Squash Clubs Jess Winder and Hannah Crichton were joined by Carlisle’s Victoria Watson in producing some great squash to carry the girls through. They beat Cheshire and Yorkshire by two ties to one, before losing to group winners Northumbria by three ties to nil.
Team manager John Crichton said: “The U19 girls broke new ground for the County at the weekend by reaching the final of the Inter-County Championships. Cumbria had three tough opponents to play over the day, Northumbria, Yorkshire and Cheshire and as expected it turned out to be a punishing days squash.”
The accomplishments of both teams is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players, clubs and parents involved. Plus the new emphasis on county coaching, led by Paul Bell.
Both teams will compete to be crowned the best county team in the country in April when the boys play at Lilleshall National Sports Centre, Shropshire and the girls will play at the Surrey Sports Park.