Results from games played over the weekend of 22/23 November 2014
Boys U13 (report from Stuart Goad)
Won the group, qualified for the main final
Their games to be played on 17th/18th January (venue and details to be confirmed)
Cumbria’s first opponents were Lancashire. Chris Butler and Zac Singleton both had close games at five and four. Chris performed really well and battled to end before going down 3-1. Zac gave it his all before going down 3-2 losing an epic fifth set 13/11. At one, two and three, Cumbria proved to be too strong on the day. Matthew Harrison won a torrid game against Finlay Withington after a nervous start losing the first 11/7. He soon found his form in the next two sets winning 11/3 11/9 and managed to hold his nerve to win the fourth 13/11, Adam Goad and Joseph Broadley both won their games 3-0 and Cumbria won the match 3-2.
Next up were North Wales , who had lost in their first tie to Yorkshire 3-2 in a close match. Chris got the match off to a fine start at number five, after losing the first game 11/9, he picked his game up and won his first game of this year’s campaign 3-1. Zac again had a tough match at four and after losing the first 11/6 came back and won the second 12/10. This game went one way then the other before his more experienced opponent won through 11/8 11/6 to win the game 3-1. Once again the strength of Cumbria at one, two and three proved too much, all three winning their respective ties 3-0 and so Cumbria won the match 4-1.
The third and final match was against the might of Yorkshire, who had also won their second game 4-1, at this point there was only one point difference between the two teams. The game started with Yorkshire proving to be too strong at four and five. Despite some great play from Zac and Chris their opposite numbers came through both winning 3-0. At three the Cumbrian stalwart Joseph Broadley added another win to his great run of wins, with some great play and determination, winning 3-0 and keeping his unbeaten record for the Cumbrian side this year. The next match on court was Adam Goad against Number one in England Sam Todd, who had beaten Adam in stage one 3-2 and only three weeks ago beat Adam 3-0 in the Bristish Championship Final. Adam got off to a great start taking the first game surprisingly easily 11/3. However, Sam came back in the second with some strong and tricky play taking the second 11/9. The third and fourth sets were long and hard, Adam played well and took those games 11/8, 11/7, a notable victory having got close in the past, but never quite getting that win. The match now was very firmly balanced at 2-2, and the pressure on young Matthew Harrison was intense. But Matthew settled into his game early and kept his form throughout the game and won his match 3-0. Cumbria had reversed the result in Newcastle and won the tie 3-2, a magnificent performance by the whole team which put them on top of the group and into the Finals.
Thanks to all the players, parents and supporters who helped make the day so successful.
The Cumbrian side are now through to The National Finals and I look forward to the players being as focused and determined again in their bid for victory.
U13 Girls (results from Roger Smith)
Won their group and qualify for the Trophy Final
Good news from the girls U13 match – played against only Durham & Cleveland after North Wales pulled out
1. Michelle Tang vs Aurora Kenshole 11/4 11/5 11/0 WON
2. Rebecca Smith vs Jess Wetherspoon 11/3 11/2 11/3 WON
3. Emily Cooper vs Katy Ditchburn 11/6 11/3 11/4 WON
All the girls played well and were too strong for the opposition. Good commitment from all the girls to travel two hours for only one game.
Under 17 Boys (report from Liza Holliday)
Finished 4th in group, finished for 2014/15 season
Although the boys were delighted to get into the top half of the second round we never underestimated how tough it was going to be. Getting drawn against counties like Yorkshire, Northumbria and Lancashire was never going to be easy.
With only a few days notice we had already had a team change with a late withdrawal and a manic few hours trying to find a replacement, thanks to young Thomas Bragg who made up the team.
Apart from another extra early set off to Ilkley who wanted to start proceedings at 10.30am which meant another early morning for the boys.
First up was Yorkshire who dispersed with us in record games all loosing 3-0 Thomas Bragg playing Joseph Twigg soon realised what a big step-up the under 17s is like. Yusef Forster won Sam Nichol, Daniel Bray won Brandon Groggins, Elliot Ridge beat Jackson Holliday and Stuart McGregor won Daniel Harrison.
Next we played Northumbria and Thomas Bragg played well in his third game narrowly missing out on taking a game from Cameron Hamilton 12/10 but lost 3/0, Ben Waugh won Sam Nichol 3/0 followed by Sam Broughton beating Brandon Groggains 3/0 next Michael Mattimore was up against Jackson Holliday and after a tight first game won by Jackson 12/10 Jackson continued to take the next two and won 3/0, finally Jamie Todd played Daniel Harrison who have had some great previous games and the games went to two all with Daniel clinching the last one 12/10 to get another 3/2 victory for Cumbria.
To finish off the day we played Lancashire Robbie Wood and Thomas had some close games with Thomas narrowly missing taking the 2nd game 13/11 lost 3/0 but played really well representing the team. Oscar Beech won Sam 3/0 and Carleton Oldham and Brandon had a 5 setter with Carleton narrowly taking the 5th game 11/9 Isaac Rawcliffe was none too happy when Jackson took a 2/1 lead and in another 5 set match managed to claw his way back to win in the 5th game,
Charlie Cowie played Daniel Harrison to close the day and Dan won 3/1.
Although we may have come bottom of the table today the boys showed good determination and never gave up, you can see the improvements in the boys games showing through and some closer games were had then in previous times of meeting.
Thank you to the parents that helped transport and support the boys as ever it is a valuable part of the team spirit.
U15 Boys (report from Sue Appleton)
Finshed 3rd in group, finished for 2014/15 season
The lads had a great start beating Warwickshire 3-2. Unfortunately Yorkshire were too strong for us and we only won one game out of five . We were also beaten 3-2 by Northumbria. Good effort but unfortunately not good enough this year.
U17 Girls
Under 17 girls came 4th, only went with four and then one got injured, played last match with three girls only – Finished for 2014/15.
Words from inter county organiser John Crichton:
Thanks to all those who have now completed their Inter County adventure for this season, both players and team managers, not to mention parents/drivers/supporters and all involved in planning and organisation. Once again you were all a credit to Cumbria Squash and I look forward to everybody’s help and assistance going forward.