Report by Kate Hughes
Day at the Senior National Championships 2016
I was delighted to be invited to play at the Senior National Championships, taking place at Hertfordshire Sports Village in Hatfield. The first match (slightly nervous as it was taking place on the live-streaming table), was a mixed doubles match with Mike O’Driscoll, against Jack Bennett and Lois Peake from Sussex. The match was a tight affair, topsy-turvy throughout, but Mike and I managed to win 3-2 (11-4, 9-11, 14-12, 7-11, 11-5). Unfortunately we then lost to the number 3 seeds Chris Doran and Hannah Hicks 6-11, 7-11, 9-11.
In the women’s doubles, playing with Naomi Jackson (from Devon), we manage to sneak the first set against Emma Vickers and Karina Lefevre 11-7; however, then lost 3-11, 1-11, 4-11.
My singles match was against the number two seed ( and subsequent tournament winner ) Tin-Tin Ho. Despite trying my best, I was basically battered off the court! I lost 3-11, 4-11, 1-11, 6-11. Tin-Tin was very sharp and too quick for me, however, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and experience of playing her, and in my first official best of 7 match!
Thank you to everyone for their messages of support; all the knocks players have given me this season; and to Ian Ferguson for all the help and coaching.