Grove Park Ladies team secured a vital win last night in their bid to capture the Ladies Division One title
for a 3rd successive season.
Having slipped up last week at Village Cheadle, last night’s away fixture was a must win if the team were to stay on course for the Division title,with their opponents Bowdon (playing at home) confident that maybe this would finally be their year.
But Grove Park upped their level and secured a hard fought 3-2 victory claiming the extra points that should see them hopefully retain their ‘Champion’ status.
Hilary Kenyon, returning from illness, pulled off the most impressive victory of the night, with a difficult 3-0 win against Di Parums, the first and all important game clinched by 19-17. Hilary was very focused in the second and took it convincingly 11-3. But anyone who knows Di will know she will not go down with out a fight and the 3rd game went to the wire with Hilary clinching it 11-9. At 2-0 down in the tie, this was a much needed win for the team and a first for Hilary (she doesn’t ever recall getting the better of her County counterpart). WELL DONE HILS.
As Hilary’s match drew to a climax, Helen was just finishing her match, unfortunately losing to a much improved Annie Openshaw 3-2. Helen was unlucky in her match but credit must go to her young opponent who kept on going and just about snuck a victory in a very hard fought match.
Liz’s opponent Polly Woodward had played at no.4 all season and this was her first match in the number 5 position. Liz played well, but Polly’s extra little bit of trickery and match play saw a 3-0 win for Bowdon but with all games closely contested.
Kirsty (Captain) then went on against a much improved Cathriona Burrows. After a slow start Kirsty moved up a gear and took control of the match with her opponent sent from corner to corner of the court. Meanwhile on the adjacent court Laura played some controlled squash and had a comfortable 3-0 victory against an improving and hard working youngster, Jess Davis. With the tie now at 2-2, and Kirsty leading 2-1, it was just a matter of the Grove captain maintaining her focus. She did this well and finished the match off convincingly to seal the all important win for Grove 3-2.
Victory of the night goes to Hilary Kenyon.
The ladies now only have three matches remaining, with their final home fixture next Monday 27th February (due to team withdrawing from the league for the 12th March Fixture). Why not come down and support the ladies as they aim to gain maximum points.
Fixtures to follow are away at Alderley Edge on Monday 5th March – again so close to home, supporters please join us! And finally away to Brooklands on 19th March where we hope to retain our Division 1 Trophy.
By Laura Mylotte