The Junior teams all put in strong performances in the Channel Trophy, which took place in Lille, 19th to 21st December, with the Under 25s and Under 25 Women coming very close to victory.
The Under 25 Women - pictured left (L to R) - (NPC Alan Shillitoe; Laura Covill; Yvonne Wiseman; Carina Negreanu; Sinead Bird; Sarah O’Connor) were pipped into second place by less than 1 VP by the French team. A maximum against Belgium in the final round gave England a chance of victory, but the World Champion French team gained just enough in their final match to stay ahead.
The Under 25 team - pictured here - (James Paul & Alex Roberts; Tommy Brass & Ankush Khandelwal; Toby Nonnenmacher & Michael Alishaw; NPC Mike Bell) finished third, but were only 9 VPs behind the winners and a victory in the final match could have seen them defend the title they won in 2013. Defeat for the Dutch in the final match gave England a chance to win, but they couldn't beat a Belgian side who leapfrogged them into second by virtue of the win. Like the Women's team, 'so near but yet so far'.
The Under 20s - pictured here - (Freddie Illingworth & Ben Norton; Oliver Powell & Jonathan Derrick; Sam Behrens & Nick Dean; NPC Michael Byrne) finished third, recording three near-maximum victories during the event, and were closer to first than fourth at the conclusion.
December 22, 2014