A youthful Surrey side today claimed their third successive South Region EG county qualifier title by the narrowest of margins in a rain-effected event at Worthing.
The nine-strong squad was made up teenagers apart from captain Nicola Taylor (Walton Heath) and they won all their matches, edging out Hampshire on countback. Both counties had 100% per cent records but the champions won 11 of their 15 individual ties while the runners-up won 10.
Heavy rain on the first day caused considerble disruption to the opening round of matches. Only bottom-of-the-table Middlesex ended up playing a full programme.
Captain Taylor said: “I am absolutely thrilled. We had five rookies and our oldest player apart from me was 19. Everyone contributed so well.”
Final standings
1, Surrey 6pts (W11, L 4)
2, Hampshire 6pts (W10, L 5)
3, Sussex 2pts (W8 D1, L6)
4, Kent 2pts (W9, L6)
5, Middlesex 0pts (W1, D1, L18)
The Surrey skipper played in what turned out to be the opening match against Kent – they won 3-2 – and then let her young guns loose for the remainder of the week. She partnered 15-year-old Hyun-Ji Kim to a 2&1 success and the Royal Wimbledon teenager would remain undefeated. She finished off with a remarkable 8&6 win against Sussex this morning.
Hyun-Ji’s victory was critical as Surrey secured the title. With Hampshire beating Middlesex 4-1 in their last match, any win against Sussex would do and with Canice Screene (Croham Hurst) securing a singles point and Abbi Rowlands (Foxhills) and Ellen Yates (West Hill) also delivering for the third successive day in the foursomes, the trophy was theirs again.
With Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire also making it through, Surrey will be strong contenders for the county finals in September (16-18th). Only two of their squad will be in America and England Girls squad member Lottie Woad could be available.