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Norfolk junior squash team chalk up win in inter-counties

Norfolk 's Under-19 boys' squash team came up against a host of nationally-ranked opponents in the second round of the Inter-Counties Championship in Oxfordshire last weekend (Sunday January 24) playing against the home county, Sussex and Kent.

Playing in Witney, five of the squad of Harry Taylor, Jordan Creed, Jack Bell, Tom Morris, Alex Williams and Connor Doy were aged 17 or under. 

Starting the tie against home team Oxfordshire, Alex Williams opened with a comprehensive 3-0 win while Jack Bell fought hard for a 3-2 win. With Harry Taylor and Jordan Creed losing 3-0 to strong opponents it came down to the final crucial game. Tom Morris started slowly and went 2-0 down, but digging deep he steadily battled his way back to record a very impressive comeback and a vital 3-2 win to secure the tie and five bonus points for Norfolk.

The next tie was against Sussex, who have a strong middle order. Harry secured a confident and assured 3-0 win against a much older opponent at Number 1 and Connor Doy produced some attacking play at No 5 to just lose out 2-3. Jordan, Jack and Alex played in-form opposition and all went down 3-0 and could not prevent a Sussex win.

In the final tie against Kent, Jordan recorded a hard-fought 3-1 win, his best result of the day. Harry played with passion to gain a game in a 3-1 defeat against a tricky opponent. Jack at No 3 also got on the scoreboard in a 3-1 defeat. Tom again went 2-0 down and faced four match points before posting a gutsy 17-15 game win. He could not quite keep up the pressure and went down 3-1. Connor at No 5 did not manage to exert enough pressure on his opponent and lost 3-0 and Kent secured the tie.

The final result was Sussex 48 points, Kent 41, Norfolk 25 and Oxfordshire 24.

Under-19 team manager, Keith Morris, said: “All the lads put in gutsy performances coming up against higher ranked opposition. We managed at least one win in each tie and the battling of Jack and Tom against Oxford produced a deserved victory. Almost the whole team will still be eligible for the squad next year and get another chance at this competition.”

The Norfolk Under-19 squash team in Witney.