This year’s Stage 1 brought Northumbria, Yorkshire and Cambridge to challenge Leicestershire’s Mari Taylor, Leanne Herbert and Jess Morgan.

Jess went on first against her Northumberland opponent and though nervous came out and played her best however just fell short in a 3-0 loss. Unfortunately strength and size were not on her side although she proved technically better than her opponent from Northumbria.

Mari then won in a convincing 3-0 without breaking much of a sweat, setting up a decider for her teammate Leanne. However, Leanne, although proving to her opponent whom she's never beaten, of her new improved game, just lost out 11-4 in the 5th.

In the second match Leicestershire played Yorkshire and again 3rd string Jess went on with some fight and managed to scrape a 3-0 win in a tight match, giving her an added boost of confidence for her later match.

Mari then went on to play a tricky and awkward player with some incredible racket skills, however her solid game proved too strong for her opponent and won in a comfortable 3-0 again.

Leanne then went on with no pressure, the team having already won, to play her second 3-2 of the day and similarly to the mornings match just lost out again. Yet still proving the favoured opponent of her improvement over the recent months.

Jess went on for the third match although mentally and physically drained from her tough first two matches, however competed with an admirable attitude even when losing out 3-0 to get stronger opponent.

Mari then went on needing a win for the team and won her easiest match of the day. However, in the decider, Leanne unexpectedly found herself 2-1 up against a worthy opponent who brought it back to 2-2. In an intense and well-fought battle her opponent proved quite the competitor in an 11-9 win in the 5th game. A disappointing day for Leanne who fought so hard in all her matches, however, definitely scared her opponents for next time.

Mari Taylor