THE NORTH EAST DOMINATE THE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
17 – 18 April – University of Birmingham, Solihull Arden SC + Coventry and North Warwickshire SC
The North East region took the England Squash & Racketball Regional Team Championships by storm at the weekend claiming no fewer than four of the seven categories on offer and easing to the overall crown.
The event was the conclusion to this seasons ESR regional programme and saw almost 300 of the country’s top junior players converge on the West Midlands to fight it out in Boys and Girls Under 13, 15 and 17 categories as well as Mixed Under 11’s. Each team consisted of four players which lead to some extremely tight matches with victories being decided by the narrowest of margins.
The North East were in dominant form taking the Mixed Under 11’s, the Boy’s Under 13’s and both the Girl’s Under 15 and 17 titles. Their Mixed Under 11 side were in a class of their own and only lost one string all weekend as they strolled to victory. The Boy’s Under 13’s, lead by British Champion James Peach found it tougher and only claimed their final due to a superior game tally over the South West who had shown strength in depth winning at 3rd and 4th string.
Last season’s overall champions, London didn’t enjoy the return they had hoped for. Despite picking up the Girls Under 13 title they slipped slightly to 3rd spot in the overall table.
The South West looked to be favourites as the event kicked off and they did manage to reach four finals. However luck was not on their side as they failed to convert any, narrowly losing the Girls Under 13 final to London on points count back – 93 to 96.
The East had similar heartache against the East Midlands in the final of the Boys Under 15’s. They fought back from 2 down to tie the match at 2 strings all – only to finish up on the losing side after points had been tallied up – 110 to 114! East Midlands also took the Boys Under 17 title with Declan James and Oliver Holland making them a formidable force.
The Under 11 and 13 events were staged at the University of Birmingham’s Munrow Centre while Solihull Arden SC and Coventry and North Warwickshire SC hosted the Under 15 and Under 17 categories respectively. The weekend was highly competitive and played in the true spirit of the game. All ESR regional coaches and many development coaches were in attendance to oversee proceedings and witness the progress made during the season.
The regional programme has been a huge success this season and all regions will be able to take something from the weekend. West Midlands were delighted with their Under 11 team who took third place after being 8th in 2009. Their Regional Manager Amy Tilly commenting ‘This is a huge testament to the hard work we’ve put into this age group in the West Midlands…surely one of the most improved results!!’
Individual Champions
Under 11 Mixed: North East
Girls Under 13 London
Boys Under 13 North East
Girls Under 15 North East
Boys Under 15 East Midlands
Girls Under 17 North East
Boys Under 17 East Midlands
Overall Positions
Champions North East
Runners Up South West
3rd Place London
4th Place South East
5th Place East Midlands
6th Place East
7th Place North West
8th Place West Midlands
