Ellesmere College Under 13 Tennis Team Finalists of British Schools Competition

Four pupils from the Ellesmere College Tennis Academy are celebrating today after finishing runners-up in the Year 8 National Schools Tournament held in Bolton last weekend.

Hannah Clarke, twins Harriet and Olivia Jones and Emily Sutcliffe began their quest for glory back in April and were just one of 3,500 teams who entered the competition. However they progressed through the various regional stages to take their place amongst the four best teams in the country at the tournament's climax, a round robin format which involved playing the other three schools over a period of little more than 24 hours. The Ellesmere girls were expected to be up against it from the outset, with the other finalists all including higher ranked players in their squads.

However they served notice of their intentions with a stunning success in their first match against pre-tournament favourites Queenswood School from Hertfordshire, eventually securing victory with a thrilling 13-11 triumph in a sudden death tie break with the match tied at three sets apiece. They then pushed eventual champions Talbot Heath School all the way before ultimately being narrowly pipped in another tie break. However despite this setback they bounced back to record a comfortable 5-1 victory against Holmfirth school from West Yorkshire, a result which ensured that they missed out being crowned champions by the narrowest of margins.

Ellesmere College Tennis Academy Director, Nikki Hoy commented, 'I was delighted with the events of the weekend and congratulate each of the girls for their excellent play and sterling efforts at each stage of the competition.'

19th December 2008  Back to News