REPORT BY: Sarah-Jane Neller (Essex Ladies Captain)
Well, what can I say, a hugely successful weekend for the Essex Ladies Squash Team, coming second in the National Inter County Finals.
“The weekend got off to a slightly shaky start with the captain driving the wrong direction on the
M25, with the rest of the team wondering what they had gotten themselves into.
Team Essex – (including three Essex juniors) Elise Lazarus, Alice Green and Eleanor White plus Sophie Lemom and Sarah Neller (captain).
Looking smart in the team kit sponsored by George Benson Ltd, Sovereign Design Play Systems and
Racket Up Squash, the first round match kicked off Saturday morning against
Gloucestershire.
Sophie had a nervous start taking a 3-2 victory, Eleanor also battled an
experienced player to take a 3-1 victory. Elise and Sarah were on court next, Sarah had 3-0 win, with
Elise losing a close fought 3-1. Essex had won the round by the time it was Alice’s turn to play and
she won 3-0. Essex 4 – Gloucestershire 1.
Onto the Semi-finals Saturday afternoon. Both Sophie and Eleanor had overcome their morning’s
nerves taking their matches 3-0. Elise had another close game and took the match 3-1 Both Sarah
and Alice won their matches 3-0. Essex 5 – Leicestershire 0.
Essex was now in the final, the team and the spirits were high.
After a relaxed evening, refreshing sleep and a mountain of breakfast, we ventured back to the club
for our final early afternoon match, ready and raring to go. We had nothing to lose, and were playing
Cheshire the 2 times reigning champions.
First matches onwere Eleanor and Sophie. Eleanor played another experienced player and battled to five, only just losing 10/12 in the fifth. Sophie’s match
was close and hard fought, she lost out 3-1. Elise played her best match of the weekend, losing 3-1.
Sarah’s turn next, winning convincingly 3-0. Finally Alice’s turn, Alice was unlucky and lost 3-0. Final
result Essex 1 – Cheshire 4.
Cheshire were crowned Champions for the third year in a row they were formidable opponents and
worthy winners.
I just wanted to say thank you to Essex Squash for the support leading up to this weekend. The
County Training Sessions have been invaluable for both the team and Essex ladies players in
general. They were a huge success and they are still drawing great interest from the ladies who do
not play in the team.
We have a WhatsApp group where we can all communicate with each other
about our squash. Weekly we are getting more members, and I feel that we are starting to grow
Ladies Squash in Essex, this can only be a positive.
Thanks again for the help and support.
Kind regards
Sarah-Jane Neller
Essex Ladies Captain
