Alice and Richie lift England Junior titles

Essex pair Alice Green and Richie Fallows are the toast of the county after being crowned England Junior champions on Sunday.

Alice lifted the girls’ under-13 title while Richie landed the boys’ under-19 crown at the Technifibre English Junior Championships held at Surrey Park and Winchester.

It was Alice’s first English title which now sits alongside the British Under-13 trophy she won in Manchester last November. For Richie, the win completed a hat-trick of English national victories, having won at under-15 and under-17 level.

Twelve-year old Alice, who lives in Billericay and plays at Kingswood, overcame number one seed Eve Coxon from Oxfordshire in the final. Her allotted start time was delayed due to a lengthy under-17’s match doing nothing for Alice’s growing nerves. It showed in the opening game which went to Eve 11-8.

But any thoughts that the Essex girl might not be up to task were quickly dispelled as Alice got her game together, gathered her composure and she rattled off the next three games in quickfire succession, 11-7, 11-5, 11-4.

Her mum, Joanne McGowan, revealed Alice’s determination to win the title. “Having won the British Alice really wanted the double by winning the English. She is 13 shortly so this was her last opportunity before leaving the age group. She doesn’t normally get nervous but this time it did get to her a little.”

It’s a busy time for the Essex girl. “She flies to Dublin on Friday where she’ll make her debut for England in a five-nations international against Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France,” added Joanne.

Richie had revenge on his mind when he strode on court to face England rival George Parker from Leicestershire. It was George who denied the Redbridge player, who lives in Stratford, the British under-19 title last year…and boy did he want to put the record straight.

The final became a brutal encounter as the two players went toe to toe putting in punishing rallies which tested their physicality to the limits. Richie took the first and fourth games as they headed into a deciding fifth which had the full-house crowd engrossed.

The intensity never faltered and it was World Junior bronze medallist Richie who emerged the stronger, keeping his composure and disciplne to win 11-9, 7-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-3 in 81 minutes.

“I was confident and happy with my form going into the match, but George is a tough, tough opponent,” said Richie afterwards. “Losing the third game 12-10 was a jolt but I stuck to my game plan and made few errors which was the difference in the fourth and fifth games. I’m thrilled to win my third English title. I know my mum and dad are proud so that makes me happy.”

Jags Sehmbi, also from Redbridge, finished eighth in the under-19’s, a result which is sure to improve his England ranking which is currently 22.