Over 450 of the worlds top junior squash players from 34 countries around the world travelled to Sheffield this month for the world's top competition, the Tchnifibre British Junior Open.

Aycliffe top junior squash player, Sarah Dowson finished in overall 17th position losing only one of her 4 matches to last year's winner, Olivier Blatchford from the USA. To meet the no.1 seed in the second round was not the ideal preparation but confidence was high after despatching Hannah Measures from Surry, 3-0, dropping only 6 points in the first round. Despite playing well against the no.1 seed, 14 year old, Sarah could not match the pace and power of the American girl and things did not get any easier in round 3 with a very physical game against Ankita Sharma from India, who was seeded 9/16 for the competition. After losing the first game 7/9, Sarah got the measure of the Indian girl and won the next 3 games 9/5, 9/2, 9/4 in a bruising encounter. The final game of the weekend saw Sarah take on Welsh no.2 Hannah Williams in another tough match and despite tiring, Sarah still managed to produce a 3/0 win, 9-6, 9-7, 9-3. As well as the clubs sponsors, Sarah also had help with travelling and overnight costs from an Individual Sports Grant organised by Ian Davey from Sedgefield District Council.

Recent good form has seen Sarah rise to no. 6 in the January England Squash National rankings and also a call to train with the full National squash at the last training session in Manchester. Sarah together with twin sister Helen started training at the Aycliffe club, which is based at the Oak Leaf Sports Complex several years ago as absolute beginners. New junior and senior players of all ages and abilities are always made welcome with weekly training and coaching every Tuesday evening from new starters to the more advanced, ring 01325 300600 for more information.