Cambs Squash

The first stage of the Ladies Inter County took place at Daventry Sports Club in Northamptonshire. The Cambs team of Ann Babtie (1), Julia Dolman (2), Mhairi Dougal (3), Jo Scrivens (4) and Faye Kowalewsky (5) were in good spirits and feeling fresh ready for the weekend.

The first match against Leicestershire was potentially going to be the hardest of the weekend. Captain Faye got the girls off to a flying start with a comfortable 3-1 win over Kim Muttock.

Over on the other court 3rd string Mhairi fought hard but eventually lost out to strong opponent Vicky Smith 3-0. Number one Cambs player Ann was on court next against tough opponent Sara Matharu. Ann was hot on her heels in the first game and some excellent rallies were played but some tight squash from Sara won her the match 3-0.

On the opposite court 4th string Jo was battling it out against opponent Tracey Sykes. Jo got off to a good start winning the first game but Tracey fought back to take the second and third. However Jo found her rhythm again in the fourth and took the match comfortably in the fifth 3-2.

So the tie stood at 2-2 against hot favourites Leicestershire – could 2nd string Julia cause the upset of the weekend? Julia certainly had her opponent Jo Cooper worried in the first game narrowly losing it 13/15. Jo stepped up a gear in the second game putting the pressure on Julia who unfortunately couldn’t get back into her stride losing the match 3-0. A great first match effort from the girls but an unfortunate result.

So, after a leisurely lunch break and much gateaux and rock buns the girls were raring to go against Northamptonshire. Faye, clearly keen to work off the gateaux made short work of her opponent, Sheila Pattison winning 3-0, putting the girls one up in the tie. Things were looking good for the for the girls as over on the other court Mhairi had taken the first game against Vicky Clarke. However her determined opponent was clearly not going to give up easily, fighting back to take the second.

Then it was Mhairi’s turn to crank things up a notch taking the third comfortably. In the fourth game it was clear to see this match had ‘five-setter’ written all over it. Mhairi’s super tall opponent just looked like she could reach any shot no matter how high or wide. Some fantastic rallies in the fifth made for a nail biting finale which Mhairi narrowly lost 11/9 but an excellent effort nonetheless. Fourth String Jo also obviously keen to work off the cake consumed at lunch put in a very strong performance taking out opponent Carol Forsbrook easily 3-0.

Once again the pressure was on 1st and 2nd strings. Ann got off to a slow start (too much cake?) against strong opponent Nikki Fowler losing the first game. But a determined Ann was back fighting in the second and some tight squash and relentless retrieving pushed her opponent all the way. Unfortunately this wasn’t quite enough eventually losing the match 3-0.

Once again the tie stood at 2-2 and once again all hopes were pinned on Julia. Julia’s opponent Jo Waine looked strong, winning the first game with some impressive power and accuracy. The two players contrasting styles made for some very entertaining squash and superb rallies. Julia fought hard and despite some very close games her opponent was not going to give anything away and took the match 3-0.

So at the end of day 1 the Cambs girls had lost both ties 3-2 despite some excellent squash played. With one remaining match the next morning the girls were still feeling positive.

A new day and a new team on the Sunday with the addition of 1st string Carrie Hastings. The team were keen to get off to a start against Worcestershire and were feeling quietly confident.

Fifth string Jo wasted no time disposing of opponent Lorraine Wilde 3-0 and successfully maintaining her 100% record for the weekend! Julia (3) was on court next against Andy Wright and won a close first game 11/9. However the motors were up and running by the second game and Julia stormed the match 3-0 leaving her opponent feeling a little shell-shocked!

New addition to Sundays’ team, 1st string Carrie looked a force to be reckoned with winning the first game 11/0. Despite opponent Dawn Ashford settling down in the second game, Carrie never looked under any pressure winning comfortably 3-0.

Three out of three so far and with the match already won the pressure was off Mhairi (4) and Ann (2) but both were determined to get a win out of the weekend. Mhairi was up first against Karen Simmonds. A determined attitude made for some determined squash and Mhairi went 2-0 up. After a slip up in the third she was well back on track in the fourth and finished off her opponent 11/2! So could Ann make it 5 out of 5? Her opponent was the very experienced Bett Dryhurst – it wasn’t going to be easy. Bett’s superbly accurate lobs pushed Ann all the way but Ann’s variation of shots and excellent movement were too much for Bett. Three closely fought game but Ann claimed her well deserved win.

So Cambs were 3rd overall. The whole team were superb throughout the weekend, they gave it their all and did their County proud –well done girls!