SQUASH : Horner corners Tranfield
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SQUASH
Suzanne Horner began the defence of her British national title with a 24-minute 9-4, 9-0, 9-0 second-round dismissal of the local girl, Jenny Tranfield, at the Abbeydale Club in Sheffield yesterday.
Tranfield, a 20-year-old Loughborough student, was a leading England junior and still has a national ranking of 11. But she was no match for the vastly experienced world No 2 from Wakefield, whose own background includes long stints on the Abbeydale courts where Tranfield learned her game.
"It's a bit like coming home," Horner said of the tournament that has now returned to the game's roots. Horner tomorrow faces a quarter-final against the seventh seed, the deaf Rebecca Macree.
The semi-finals and the final will present opponents tougher than Macree, who fought back determinedly from 2-1 down against Donia Leeves, of Sussex, to win 10-8, 2-9, 4-9, 9-5, 9-3 in 53 minutes.
Financial considerations seem to have swayed most of the top British men, who have chosen to play in the Super League play-offs in Bristol rather than the poorly funded national championships.
Stephen Meads, the England No 11 from Berkshire, and Jason Nicolle, the No 8 from Nottingham, are the only top 20 players in the men's second round.
Yesterday Meads defeated Derbyshire's 19-year-old Paul Hargrave to book a quarter-final against Clive Leach of Warwickshire, who defeated Oxford's Scott Handley.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments