Report on the Northern Cup

The Yorkshire Junior Development Squad’s great season came to a close at Fairways Lodge in Prestwich, Lancashire in the form of the ‘Northern Cup’ where Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Yorkshire were present. The format was for matches to be best of five games with each game to 11 points and involving teams comprising of U11/U13/U15.

The three Yorkshire teams were second on court on all six courts and they produced outstanding performances in all the three age groups winning maximum points against Merseyside.

Our second opponents were Cheshire and although Yorkshire fielded some reserves, giving all players the opportunity and experience of the competition, we were still as dominant as all teams again scored maximum points.

After a lunch break and tactical talks, the three Yorkshire teams came up against host Lancashire in the final. A win would not only give each individual team the title but the chance to be the overall winners of the ’Northern Cup’.

With confidence riding high each team produced their best performance to take maximum points and the title.

A great team effort proved rewarding success for all the hard work each squad has put in prior to the start of this competition. It produced huge smiles from everyone and thanks being thrown about from well travelled parents.

As one parent said, after his son was asked to collect the trophy, he will be walking ten feet tall and he will remember this day for the rest of his life.

It is striking to see that we are making a huge difference to the lives of these juniors, not only in their squash, but in meeting and being part of a great team effort. This alone is something that makes it all worthwhile.

Dave Clarke and Derek Norris