Nicknamed ‘Team Askew’ due to the inclusion of the three Askew sisters; Emily, Amy and Beth, all helped contribute to what was a phenomenal performance by the North West County.
The Winter County Cup is widely regarded within the amateur county game as the pinnacle. However the Lancashire Ladies swept aside all competition in the Group 1 Premier Division including Buckinghamshire, Nottinghamshire and their fiercest rivals Warwickshire, to lift their second major trophy in the last two years. This victory followed up their Summer County Cup win last year, which was their first ever summer event win in their 112 year history.
Captain Rachael Hyland was delighted with the sides display, she said: “I am ecstatic about the win. Considering until the end of 2006 we had only won one major event in 100 years, so in two years we have trebled our trophy cabinet. It’s fantastic”.
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The indoor courts of The University of Bath Tennis Club took stage to what was a tremendous competition set over last weekend. The first match began with a titanic battle between Lancashire and Warwickshire, who were considered the team to beat in this group, having previous won the last two Winter County Cup’s. However Lancashire stepped up to the challenge with vaguer and destroyed them. Beth Askew and Anjoli Fraser kicked off the tournament with a tight match. Beth began nervously in her first appearance, losing the first set 6-0, which is then where an experienced word of confidence from the captain helped lift her performance. Beth eventually rolled over her opponent in three sets, 0-6, 6-0, 6-4. From that moment on Lancashire took apart what was a strong side, winning all three doubles to secure a 7-2 victory. Rachael Hyland exclaimed: “This was an outstanding result against what are a tough side, especially in the doubles.”
Lancashire Ladies then turned on the style in their next match crushing their weakest competition Nottingham 9-0. Then on the final day they secured the title with a 7-2 triumph over Buckinghamshire to cap off a brilliant weekend.
Lancashire Ladies Results
Beat Warwickshire 7-2
Beat Nottinghamshire 9-0
Beat Buckinghamshire 7-2
Final Table
Group 1 - BATH
1.Lancashire 21pts
2.Warwickshire 15pts
3.Buckinghamshire 11pts
4.Nottinghamshire 3pts
The team has caused great hope within the Lancashire Tennis, especially due to the inclusion of three exciting young sisters. The Askew sisters are made up of Emily the eldest at 16, Amy at 14 and the youngest Beth at 13. And it was Beth that in some ways was a surprised selection considering her lower rating. However the Captain dismissed that the inclusion of Beth was down to sentimental reasons, saying: “As a captain I have to look at who is potentially the better player regardless of the ratings. I didn’t pick her for sentimental reasons because she is young and a prospect. I picked her because I want to win, and she did win.”
Skipper Rachael Hyland, aged 32 of Abbley Bridge, Lancashire has been a key part of the team’s success since taking over the captaincy post at the beginning of 2007. She has brought success to a county, who had previously been known for their near misses. While she has been part of those teams, during her 20 years with the county, she has also been part of a successful one. As she happened to be part of the Lancashire County side that last won the Winter County Cup in 1992, in what was her first appearance. This experience seemed to help inspire the side to a masterful display.
The victory in this weekend’s Winter County Cup in the style and manner they did it in (only losing just four rubbers) demonstrated the fact that Lancashire are the top side in the country. “We do not have as good a record as say a Surrey or a Warwickshire, who have won these events plenty of times. But after winning the way we did, I would say we are definitely in the top three, maybe even No.1”: beckoned a very proud captain.
By Geoff Berkeley
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