Norfolk's junior squash under-14 girls' team finished third in the first-ever East Anglia Inter-Counties Squash League. They were behind English champions Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, but took third place ahead of Suffolk by collecting 22 points on the final day at the Cambridge Squash Club.
Norfolk's junior squash under-14 girls' team finished third in the first-ever East Anglia Inter-Counties Squash League.
They were behind English champions Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, but took third place ahead of Suffolk by collecting 22 points on the final day at the Cambridge Squash Club.
The title was decided in the final round of the eight-month competition in the match between Hertfordshire, who had been crowned All England Inter-County champions the previous weekend, and Cambridgeshire.
Final positions: 1 Hertfordshire 216 points, 2 Cambridgeshire 209 points, 3 Norfolk 143 points and 4 Suffolk 89 points.
During the season the Norfolk team has been represented by Sophie and Jenny Hodges, Sian Eves and Alice Baker in every round, and also by Beth Grainger, Amrisha Ondhia, Emily Wilford, Ellie Davis, Hannah Taylor and Victoria Brandwood.
“Six of the girls who have represented Norfolk this year will be young enough to play in the under-14 age group next year, which gives the county a strong base to build on,” said Norfolk organiser Gary Baker.
Sophie Hodges almost went through the entire season unbeaten, but was forced to retire in her penultimate match, feeling sick but then came back to win her final match.
Baker said: “The leagues have been very successful in their first season and within a year have become one of the largest all-girl squash competitions in the country. Other counties have expressed an interest in joining the leagues next year, and all of the counties who competed this year wish to participate next year.
“Both Norfolk teams, including the Under-16s who won their league a couple of weeks ago, have been invited back to compete next season.
“The idea was to encourage girls to play squash at a competitive level and to take the next step in their squash development. All of the girls have clearly improved during the season.”
With some of the girls changing age groups next year the county are looking for new girl players for next season. Regular county training sessions, which are open to any juniors - take place the second Sunday of every month at the East Anglia club on Lime Tree Road in Norwich, with under 15 players training between 1pm and 3pm and under 19 players training between 3pm and 5pm.
The cCounty also holds regular Grand Prix events for the juniors, with all ages and abilities catered for in the various groups.
The June Grand Prix is at East Anglia Squash Club, Lime Tree Road, on June 18, and forms should be available from individual clubs.
Anyone interested in opportunities to play junior squash in Norfolk should contact county coach David Youngs on 01603 453532.
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