Warwickshire Stars in Action at the Home Internationals

A number of Warwickshire players have been in action over the last month in the annual Home Internationals held throughout the UK. England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales each played host to different age groups with each nation represented by their best Masters players.

The Men’s O35 event was held in Cardiff this year, with Sutton Coldfield’s Marcus Hayes representing the England side and Leamington’s Neil Staunton playing for Ireland. It was England who ran out 4-1 winners when the two sides faced each other, Hayes beating Staunton in a mammoth five setter at 4th string. Hayes beat Wales’ Andrew Neal in straight games in his other appearance while Staunton took out Sscotland Michael Martin three games to nil. England ran out overall winners with Ireland runners up.

England Men’s O35

In the Ladies O35 Kenilworth’s Natalie Townsend was making her third appearance for England after selection in 2016 and 2017. Boasting a strong squad for their trip to Aberdeen, England were dominant and only dropped 3 games over their 3 matches. Townsend kept up her unbeaten record in an England shirt, this time at number 5 string.

England Ladies O35

Mike Harris (Edgbaston Priory) and Nick Staunton (Leamington) were representing England and Ireland respectively at the Men’s O45 event in Nottingham. Harris who has had an exceptional season was in dominant form at number 1 string, chalking out three straight game wins, gaining revenge against Staunton, who had beaten him in the semi finals of the Nationals back in February. Staunton won his remaining two matches in typical 5 game fashion. England were comfortable winners over the weekend with Ireland third.

Staunton who is the current National champion at O45, also played for the Ireland Men’s O40 side the weekend before, winning all of his games!

England Men’s O45
Ireland Men’s O40
England Women’s O50

Rachel  Woolford of Solihull Arden again captained the England Women’s O50 team, this time round in Dublin. At number 1 string Woolford scored a 3-0 win against Ireland’s Lynda Dunlop and a 3-1 win over Scotland’s Ashley Mears before losing in 5 to Wales’ Helen Barnard. England won all of their matches to claim the trophy.

A special mention to Andy Murray of Sutton Coldfield, who was selected to play in the England Men’s O50 side, before missing out to an injury sustained just before the event. We are sure you will be back in the side next year!