Congratulations to the Irish Junior Girls squad who last weekend clinched the Division One title of the Junior British League to secure promotion to the top flight for Season 2011/12. Over the two weekends of play, the team claimed the title with an undefeated record, recording 9 wins and a solitary draw. This draw came in Weekend 1 against Bridge Club and the girls were primed to ensure that they would claim a win in the return meet. In the deciding encounter, the Girls recorded a 4:2 victory over Bridge, with Edel O’Reilly providing a key win, reversing her previous defeat to Victoria Smith over a fantastic 5 set encounter. The individual averages tell their own story, with the Irish team of Ashley Givan, Edel O’Reilly and Sarah Timlin providing 3 of the top 5 players. Coach Phyllis Kenny was delighted with the Division One title, stating;
“They were a fantastic team to coach..if you look at the results you will see the wins that they had were not that easy but they never gave up and gave 100% each time. On the first weekend they drew with Bridge Club (which was the only match that they drew over the two weekends) but the second weekend they were ready for them and with a quality performance from all players they got the win they wanted.”
In the Boys Premier Division, Sam Logue, Declan O’Brien and Ashley Robinson had a difficult weekend. Obviously the Boys had the mantle of Premier Division Champions from 2009/2010 and were there to be shot at by the English teams. Robinsons showed his class with a 75% win ratio to be the best performing Irish player. However, the Irish will look at the positives with a 4th place finish ensuring Premier Division status for next season.
Both squads and coaches will now begin planning their Premier Division campaigns in Season 2011/12.