EPSCA U11 Girls Championships: 24th March 2007, Elstree

For the first time ever Sussex entered a team in the EPSCA Girls U11 Inter-Association Championship. On 24th March sixteen girls along with parents and trainers travelled to Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys school in Elstree to take on thirteen other counties, cities and boroughs. The team consisted of twelve players and four reserves who played in their own Swiss style tournament. Everyone arrived on time which did the manager’s nerves no end of good.

A pep talk from Jonathan and the first round began - and what a start. After the first hour the girls had won 8 out of 8 with four still playing. At the end of the round the score was 9½ out of 12. Sussex were in second place.

The second round wasn’t so good and we had to settle for half points, 6 out of 6.

Half an hour out in the fresh air running away from the team manager and another of Jonathan’s pep talks and the team went into the final round. Much better. An award of Easter Eggs all round and then the announcement of the final results. A nail biter. Sussex were fourth equal, just half a point behind third place.

Special mentions for Amy, who played epic games in rounds one and two, the last games to finish each time, which meant she got hardly any rest between rounds, and to Eliza who was last out in round three. Also to Alice, Lucinda and Iona who all won all three of their games. Perhaps most importantly of all, the Sussex team were very young. Only three of them will be too old to play for the U11 next year. For many of them this was their first big tournament. Next year can only be better.

Those of us who could then went on for a team meal at the Pizza Express in Radlett. Very enjoyable, only the drive home brought the festivities to an end. The team were: Amy Hoare, Eliza McHugh, Iona Rose, Katherine Lane, Hannah Watkinson; Katie O’Nunain, Alice Blundell, Emily Yares, Lucinda Jones, Lauren Merry, Daniela Parada Sanchez, Beth Shoesmith, Kelsie Whittemore, Helen Todd Saunders, Louise Watson.

The final results were: