March 21, 2018, by mzydh4
BUCS Big Wednesday: Women’s 1st team retain Championship Squash title!
University of Nottingham’s Ladies 1st team wrap up a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Edinburgh 1’s to claim the Women’s Championship title!
The opening round of fixtures commenced in front of a jovial crowd, following on from Men’s 2’s prior victory over Sheffield Hallam 1’s in the Men’s Trophy, hoping to see the Green and Gold retain their trophy.
UoN’s Jannis Lam ensured that her side got off to the best of starts, as she cruised to an 11-4 first game lead. Lam was in total control of the match, playing very patient squash which wore down her opponent Madeleine Reader. After taking game two 11-3, Lam finished strongly and was gifted the match winning point via an Edinburgh fault service on the DRSV Glass Court.
Libby Corke extended the Green and Gold lead with a comfortable 11-4 11-4 11-4 win against Jemma Gillan. Corke’s quality shone through from the start, cementing her dominance with her powerful strokes and precision placement. Gillan continued in to fight hard until the end of the encounter, but to little avail. With this win UoN moved 2-0 up, requiring just one remaining match to win the title.
All eyes were on Hayley Openshaw, as the Green and Gold captain looked to complete he overall win, and earn Nottingham another piece of silverware. Openshaw displayed some early nerves in her encounter, but managed to pull through a scrappy first set 11-7. After a discussion with coach Richard O’Connor and a change in tactics, she returned to court and began to dictate points with ease in the final two sets. The captain fittingly clinched the Women’s Championship title for her team, with two matches still to be played, erupting with emotion after match point was won.
Unaware of Openshaw’s victory, Coline Aumard played some jaw-dropping squash against Edinburgh’s Bethany Gallagher, providing the onlooking crowd with even more reasons to celebrate! Aumard, the World Number 31, was simply too strong for her opponent, dropping just 11 points en route to a 3-0 victory, further extending her side’s dominance in the match.
The final action of the tie was between Nottingham’s Hana Ramadan and Edinburgh’s Katriona Allen. Ramadan, currently ranked 69th in the world, got off to a flying start as she ensured Allen’s hopes of helping her side avoid a 5-0 whitewash were dashed. Hana played with confidence and convicted, carried on by a raucous crowd, and ultimately captured the match 11-6 11-6 11-4.
A delighted Captain, Hayley Openshaw, spoke on behalf of her side after their 5-0 victory.
“I am so happy to retain our title from last year, it is such a great achievement, the team just keeps on going from strength to strength!”
Carrie Hallam of Edinburgh added: “We are delighted to have made the final after a tough semi-final against Birmingham, but on the day Nottingham were too strong. We enjoyed the experience of playing at such a big event and we hope to come back next year!”
University of Nottingham’s sensational #BigBUCSWednesday continues!
RESULTS SUMMARY
Jannis LAM 11-4 11-3 11-1 Madeleine Reader
Libby CORKE 11-4 11-4 11-4 Jemma Gillan
Coline AUMARD 11-5 11-3 11-3 Carrie Hallam
Hayley OPENSHAW 11-7 11-7 11-4 Bethany Gallagher
Hana RAMADAN 11-6 11-6 11-4 Katriona Allen
Don’t miss a point! You can catch all the action via our highlight below.
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