England Retain European Junior U15 & U17 Team Titles

England retained both titles in the European U15 & U17 Championships after beating hosts France in the two finals of the European Squash Federation event in Lyon.

In the U15 championship, the favourites overcame Wales in the semi-finals before lining up against France in the final. In a seesaw opening match, Emily Whitlock took the opening game, but France's Melissa Alves fought back to win 6-9, 9-6, 9-5, 8-10, 9-1 to give the hosts the opening advantage.

However, Oliver Holland beat Alexandre Cogno 9-5, 9-0, 9-5 to level the tie before Niall Engerer recovered from a game down to defeat Alex Petitjean 2-9, 9-3, 9-5, 9-3 to give England the title for the ninth time in ten years.

England and France were also seeded to reach the U17 final - and did so after semi-final wins over Wales and Germany, respectively.

But only two matches were needed in the final to give the favourites the title - Kimberley Hay beating Cyrielle Peltier 9-1, 9-3, 9-7 to put England in the lead, then Sammy Chambers overcoming Lucas Serme 6-9, 9-2, 5-9, 9-6, 9-2 to clinch the title.

U17 Final:
[1] ENGLAND bt [2] FRANCE 2-0
Kimberley Hay bt Cyrielle Peltier 9-1, 9-3, 9-7
Sammy Chambers bt Lucas Serme 6-9, 9-2, 5-9, 9-6, 9-2
Charles Sharpes v Arthur Moineau (dead rubber - match not played)

U15 Final:
[1] ENGLAND bt [2] FRANCE 2-1
Emily Whitlock lost to Melissa Alves 9-6, 6-9, 5-9, 10-8, 1-9
Oliver Holland bt Alexandre Cogno 9-5, 9-0, 9-5
Niall Engerer bt Alex Petitjean 2-9, 9-3, 9-5, 9-3