South East finish 5th in National Regional Cadet Squad Championships
20th April 2011
SOUTH EAST FINISH 5TH IN NATIONAL REGIONAL CADET SQUAD CHAMPS
A South East side composed predominantly of Sussex players finished 5th in the National Inter-Region Cadet (under 15) Squad Championships held at the Dome, Doncaster on Sunday.
The South East squad, which trains at Angley School, Cranbrook, Kent, fielded: Boys – under 15, Dan Lawrence (Kent) & Jack Bennett (Sussex); under 13, Luke Savill (Kent) & Josh Bennett (Sussex); under 11, Keiran Gray (Sussex) & Hai Duong (Sussex): Girls – under 15, Lois Peake (Sussex) & Sophie Barber (Sussex); under 13, Holly Holder (Sussex) & Emma Sheen (Sussex); under 11, Kate Cheer (Sussex) and Lauren Pound (Sussex).
They started off well, with wins over West Midlands (7-5) and North West (8-4). However, things started to go against them when they lost 5-7 to the North East, a crucial result being Dan Lawrence’s gallant 9-11, 9-11, 12-10, 16-14, 8-11, defeat to the England no.5 cadet boy, Paul Smith (Cleveland). They then were crushed 1-11 by London, Lois Peake recording their only win although many of the other singles being close. Playing the South for positions 5 & 6, they won their last match 7-5.
Four of the SE players, brothers Jack and Josh Bennett from Polgate, East Sussex, and Lois Peake and Kate Cheer (Sussex) won 4 out of their 5 singles (80%), while Luke Savill from the Larkfield Club, Aylesford, Kent won 3 (60%). Josh Bennett survived the closest encounter when he beat Joe Pilkington (Cheshire) of the North West, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 4-11, 18-16! Although Dan Lawrence from Tonbridge, Kent, won only two singles, all his losses were very close.
Overall it was a good team performance by the South East, with good team spirit. Several of the SE players were inexperienced at competing at this level.
For further information, contact Ken Muhr, Tel. 01580 752676 (H).
Photos: South East Cadet Squad.
