York’s women were comprehensively beaten by their Lancaster counterparts in the women’s squash.
A number of key players, including their regular first and second players, were missing due to academic commitments, but the ladies on show still performed valiantly against accomplished opposition.
First up was number four seed Georgie Andrews against Lancaster’s American import Courtney Alpaugh. The gap in class was soon evident, Alpaugh’s sheer power meaning Andrews regularly did not meet shots. The Lancaster player triumphed 3-0 (in a best of five), winning 11-2, 11-4 and 11-6.
Next on court was Emily Lowrey of York against Timna Freeman. Freeman, more of a shot-maker, kept on hitting winners that simply could not be returned. Lowrey played valiantly though, eventually succumbing to defeat 11-7, 11-5 and 11-6.
York’s stand-in second seed Rebecca Alexander came up against Lancaster’s Samantha Preston. It was largely the same fare, falling 11-2 in the opening game. She came back strongly in the second, losing 11-7, before tiring, Preston winning the third 11-4. This became an unassailable 3-0 lead overall, meaning the points were assuredlast match was a formality.
In front of a vociferous Lancaster crowd, Lancaster’s star player Penny How went up against the powerful Alexia de Lambilly. How is an absolutely superb player and took the first game 11-1. However, Lambilly started to out-power her opponent on some points, momentarily silencing the home fans. However, How went on to win the next two games 11-3, 11-6