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Photos: Jack Western
A strong singles performance from York St John Ladies 1sts, crush York Ladies 2nd’s hopes for promotion.
The match was set to be a tense affair, with a win for either of the York teams near guaranteeing a promotion from the Northern 3B league. York ladies 2nds were prepared for some very close games, with their opponents, York St John 1sts, being undefeated in their league. The team found themselves 2-0 up from the start, with the visiting team missing a doubles pair.
First on court was Heather Robertson for the first of the singles matches. Both players were on form, producing powerful and well placed shots, and great court coverage. The first end was to be one of the most exciting set of the day, with the score eventually reaching 26-24 to York.
Having won the first end Robertson entered the next game confident, but was visibly tired throughout the second end. The York St John player used this to her advantage, and moved Robertson around the court with some excellent drop shots and clears. Despite some impressive smashes from Robertson, the St John player took the next end 9-21. The final set was a closer game, but despite some great play from Robertson, the St John player took the last end 14-21, to win the match.
On the other court, Lucy Rogers was also up for singles. Her opponent was the stronger of the two St John’s singles players. The first end was lost 8-21, despite great defensive work and drop shots from Rogers. Consistent and well placed shots from the St John player led to another loss for York, with a score of 3-21.
With the overall score now tied at 2-2, a win from the doubles pairs was essential in maintaining the hopes of promotion.
Next on court were the doubles pairing Charlie Parker and Blonnie Walsh. As the game got underway it was noticeable that the St John pair were playing in a formation that was not typical of ladies games – with one player staying at the back and the weaker of the pair staying at the front of court – a formation seen in mixed matches. This made them a difficult pair to play against, since normal tactics did not always work.
The first end was lost, 19-21, but as the second end started, it was clear that the York pair had changed tactics. Some excellent drops and well placed shots kept the shuttle away from the strongest of the St John pair, whose impressive smash had won many of the points in the first set. Great net work from Parker combined with deadly smashes from Walsh led to an easy 21-6 victory, and a similar performance was seen in the second end, producing York’s first victory of the day with a 21-11 win.
Next up were the two remaining singles matches. Here, again, the St John’s singles players proved dominant, with both matches being won in two ends. Both York players found themselves outmanoeuvred, despite some great play and well-fought points. The hopes of promotion slipped away, with Robertson losing 5-21, 11-21, and Rogers losing 10-21 and 13-21.
The score now sat at 4-3, with one game left to play, but a draw would not be enough to secure promotion.
Lauren Cain and Sarah Thomas were next on court for the final doubles match. The first end was very close, with some excellent smashes and defensive play from both sides, but after a few tense final points, the first end was lost 20-22. The York pair entered the second end with undiminished confidence, and as errors started to slip into the very vocal St John pair’s game, the York pair took the lead. Impressive smashes from Thomas and great net play from Cain secured a 21-13 win.
The final end was very tense, and with barely a point between the scores as the game progressed, it was difficult to tell which way the game would go. Cain’s cross-court smashes and some great defence from Thomas helped keep the scores tied, but it wasn’t enough. Eventually the impressive smashes and consistent returns from the stronger of the St John players clinched the victory for York St John, and an overall loss for York, with a score of 18-21.
Despite a loss of 3 – 5, Lucy Rogers, Ladies 2nds captain, was still very proud of her team’s performance: “We did really well, but their singles players were very strong”. The team have one more BUCS game to play, against Bradford 1sts in a week’s time, and the team is confident of a win to end what has been a relatively successful season for the 2nd team.