Alison Goy (Trent Bridge) and Izzy Tyrrell (David Lloyd West Bridgford) represented ENGLAND Ladies (O 40) in the recent  Home Internationals in Ireland. Here is a report of the event from Alison Goy.

The team photo left to right is Sue Smith (Duffield), Izzy Tyrrell (DLWB), Isabelle Tweedle (Surrey). Alison Goy (Trent Bridge), Beverley Mackay (Hants)

England V Wales. The evening started badly sharing one court with the Irish & Scottish match and we were on second! Luckily the court that had been left for "members" to use was free and so the fives went on.

Sue started nervously, narrowly losing the first game, then winning the next 3. 7-9, 10-8, 9-4, 10-8. We then got kicked off court for 40 mins whilst a couple of members played racketball! When we finally got our court back Alison stormed to a 4-0 lead in the first, the match was then halted by the marker so he could increase the height of the tin by 2 inches. The extra inches didn't affect her as she won comfortably 9-3, 9-0, 9-0. Next on was the captain heavily strapped up after injuring herself picking up her car keys off the floor! She still managed to win 3-0, two games being very close. 10-9, 9-7, 9-4.

Isabelle Tweedle made short work of her opponent breezing to a 3-0 victory 9-0, 9-4, 9-1. Last on court was Bev in what was a se saw kind of game, littered with errors and clinical shots. She got in front in most games but her opponent clawed her way back , fortunately she managed to engineer herself a lead in the fifth and kept it. If she had played first the 17 inch tin would have suited! 5-0 England.

England V Scotland. First on court was Sue, no nerves today as she cruised to a 3-0 victory, 9-3, 9-1, 9-2. Next on was Alison who had clearly borrowed Sues nerves! She soon found herself 1-0 and game point down in the second, fortunately she scraped it 10-8 and then went on to win the next 2. 3-9, 10-8, 9-5, 9-2. Our teetoal captain Izzy was on next, how would her visit to Temple Bar affect her? (rest of team in bed for 11.30) Well it was close to say the least, she took the first and second, both were close, then lost the next 2, was the late night having an effect? Clearly it wasn't as she took the fifth dropping just

1 point. 9-7, 9-7, 5-9, 0-9, 9-1. Isabelle "Steady Eddie" Tweedle was next on winning relatively comfortably 3-0.9-4,9-3,9-4. Last on was Bev "Hit it straight" Mackay, could she see us through to another 5-0 victory? It was clear from the start that she had made all of her mistakes V Wales as she made light work of her opponent winning easily 3-0. 9-1, 9-1, 9-6.

England V Ireland. Sue is now on fire, dispatching of her opponent quickly 3-0. 9-1, 9-2, 9-3. Alison makes a better start taking the first in a close game, going on to win the next 2 more comfortably.

9-7, 9-2, 9-4. Next on was Izzy she managed to get her monies worth yet again. Coming back from 2-1 down to win 3-2 after realising she needed to go for winners instead of rallying. 2-9, 9-6, 6-9, 9-0, 9-2.

Isabelle "Steady Eddie" Tweedle was just that, once again beating her opponent comfortably, making few mistakes.9-0, 9-4, 9-1. Finally Bev took centre stage and ensured the England whitewash. Winning quickly 3-0 with some clinical finishing.